Latest news with #LinaMariaOrovio-Hernandez
Epoch Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Columbian Accused of Illegally Casting Vote in 2024 Election, Stealing $400,000 Federal Benefits
A Columbian woman living illegally in Massachusetts was indicted on May 22 for allegedly casting a fraudulent ballot in the 2024 election and receiving over $400,000 in federal benefits using a stolen identity. Federal prosecutors stated that Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 59, had lived under a stolen identity for over two decades. She allegedly obtained nine state IDs, including a Massachusetts Real ID, and a U.S. passport. Orovio-Hernandez allegedly used the stolen identity to submit a fraudulent voter registration in 2023 and cast an illegal ballot in the November 2024 election, She was also accused of improperly receiving federal benefits, including $259,589 in Section 8 rental assistance from October 2011 to January 2025; $101,257 in Social Security disability benefits from July 2014 to January 2025; and $43,348 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from April 2005 to January 2025. 'For more than 20 years, this defendant is alleged to have built an entire life on the foundation of a stolen identity—including illegally voting in our presidential election and collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in government benefits intended for Americans in need,' U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley said in a 'The right to vote is one of the many privileges of being a U.S. citizen,' the attorney stated. 'Government funded programs for those in need are intended to be safety nets for those living in our country lawfully—not support an illegal alien without a right to be here.' Related Stories 10/30/2024 10/26/2024 According to the Federal prosecutors said that officers had to breach both the front and bedroom door to make entry and arrest her. They suspected Orovio-Hernandez was preparing to flee, as she was found 'fully dressed with shoes on next to an open window' when they entered the house. Orovio-Hernandez was charged with false representation of a Social Security number, making false statements on a U.S. passport application, aggravated identity theft, receiving stolen government funds, fraudulent voter registration, and fraudulent voting. 'The alleged crimes are an affront to every individual who plays by the rules and undermines many of the programs meant to support the most vulnerable members of our society,' Foley stated. Orovio-Hernandez has remained in federal custody since February when she was She will be subject to deportation after serving any possible sentence imposed, the DOJ stated. The Epoch Times has reached out to her legal representative for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Colombian woman charged with illegally voting in 2024 election, stealing $400,000 in taxpayer funded benefits
A Colombian woman living illegally in the United States lived under a stolen identity for more than two decades, improperly received more than $400,000 in stolen federal benefits, and illegally voted in the 2024 presidential election, federal prosecutors said Thursday. Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 59, also obtained welfare benefits, a REAL ID and eight other state ID's, the Justice Department said. Orovio-Hernandez allegedly used the stolen identity to submit a fraudulent voter registration in January 2023, and cast a ballot in last year's presidential election, prosecutors said. She was captured on surveillance camera at a bank wearing an 'I voted' sticker on Nov. 5, 2024, Election Day, according to court documents. She is charged with false representation of a Social Security number; making a false statement in an application for a United States passport; aggravated identity theft; receiving stolen government money or property; fraudulent voter registration; and fraudulent voting. 3 Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez was captured on security video at a Massachusetts bank wearing an 'I voted' sticker, federal prosecutors said. Justice Department Orovio-Hernandez has been held in federal custody since February, when she was charged with identity theft and other offenses. Authorities said Orovio-Hernandez improperly received $400,000 in federal benefits: $259,589 in Section 8 rental assistance benefits from October 2011 through January 2025; $101,257 in Social Security disability benefits from July 2014 through January; and $43,348 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits or SNAP, from April 2005 through January. 'For more than 20 years, this defendant is alleged to have built an entire life on the foundation of a stolen identity – including illegally voting in our presidential election and collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in government benefits intended for Americans in need,' said US Attorney Leah B. Foley. 3 Orovio-Hernandez allegedly used the stolen identity to submit a fraudulent voter registration in January 2023, and cast a ballot in last year's presidential election, prosecutors said. Justice Department 3 Orovio-Hernandez has been held in federal custody since February, when she was charged with identity theft and other offenses. Justice Department 'The right to vote is one of the many privileges of being a US citizen. Government funded programs for those in need are intended to be safety nets for those living in our country lawfully – not support an illegal alien without a right to be here.' She also applied for a US passport, claiming to be a US citizen who was born in Puerto Rico, authorities said. Orovio-Hernandez wasn't entitled to any of the benefits she received, said Foley, citing her illegal presence in the US. 'Stealing someone's identity to unlawfully obtain Social Security benefits is not just theft—it's a long-term abuse of a system meant to support those truly in need,' said Amy Connelly, the special agent in charge for the Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of the Inspector General in the Boston-New York field division.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Colombian woman charged with illegally voting in 2024 election stealing $400,000 in taxpayer funded benefits
A Colombian woman living illegally in the United States lived under a stolen identity for more than two decades, improperly received more than $400,000 in stolen federal benefits, and illegally voted in the 2024 presidential election, federal prosecutors said Thursday. Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 59, also obtained welfare benefits, a REAL ID and eight other state ID's, the Justice Department said. Orovio-Hernandez allegedly used the stolen identity to submit a fraudulent voter registration in January 2023, and cast a ballot in last year's presidential election, prosecutors said. She was captured on surveillance camera at a bank wearing an "I voted" sticker on Nov. 5, 2024, Election Day, according to court documents. Mom Of Girl Allegedly Killed By Illegals Says Wildlife Refuge Renaming 'Means The World' To Family She is charged with false representation of a Social Security number; making a false statement in an application for a United States passport; aggravated identity theft; receiving stolen government money or property; fraudulent voter registration; and fraudulent voting. Orovio-Hernandez has been held in federal custody since February, when she was charged with identity theft and other offenses. Authorities said Orovio-Hernandez improperly received $400,000 in federal benefits: $259,589 in Section 8 rental assistance benefits from October 2011 through January 2025; $101,257 in Social Security disability benefits from July 2014 through January; and $43,348 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits or SNAP, from April 2005 through January. Read On The Fox News App Immigration Expert Warns Chinese Illegal Aliens Using Canadian City As Gateway To Us "For more than 20 years, this defendant is alleged to have built an entire life on the foundation of a stolen identity – including illegally voting in our presidential election and collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in government benefits intended for Americans in need," said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley. "The right to vote is one of the many privileges of being a U.S. citizen. Government funded programs for those in need are intended to be safety nets for those living in our country lawfully – not support an illegal alien without a right to be here." She also applied for a U.S. passport, claiming to be a U.S. citizen who was born in Puerto Rico, authorities said. Orovio-Hernandez wasn't entitled to any of the benefits she received, said Foley, citing her illegal presence in the U.S. "Stealing someone's identity to unlawfully obtain Social Security benefits is not just theft—it's a long-term abuse of a system meant to support those truly in need," said Amy Connelly, the special agent in charge for the Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of the Inspector General in the Boston-New York field article source: Colombian woman charged with illegally voting in 2024 election stealing $400,000 in taxpayer funded benefits
