United States of America v. Muna Abdi

Salt Lake City, Utah, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conversion of government funds.

From November 1, 2021, to about June 30, 2024, Muna Abdi, 36, a Somali national living in Millcreek, Utah, converted funds from the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) for her own benefit. The SSA, who was not aware of Abdi’s mother’s death, continued to disperse funds to her Social Security account, to which Abdi had access. For over three years, Abdi fraudulently withdrew at least $25,638.61 in government funds. She admitted to withdrawing the funds regularly through cash-back purchases and ATM withdrawals. She further admitted to impersonating her deceased mother in correspondences with the SSA and in person at the SSA field office.

“For years, Ms. Abdi stole funds intended for qualifying disabled and retired individuals,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “My office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to ensure justice is done when individuals defraud government programs putting critical benefit funds at risk.”

“Ms. Abdi wrongfully converted her late mother’s Supplemental Security Income payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for personal gain,” said John McLeod, Special Agent-in-Charge of the SSA Office of the Inspector General, Cooperative Disability Investigations – Western Field Division. “I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their collaboration in holding her accountable and reinforcing that Social Security fraud will not be tolerated.”

The case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration Cooperative Disability Investigations Unit (SSA-CDIU) in Salt Lake City.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Sachiko J. Jepson of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.

BOP None. 12 months probation with the mandatory and standard conditions of supervision and the special conditions as stated on the record. Restitution of $25,638.61 payable as stated on the record. No fine. SPA $100.