A Social Security employee is now behind bars due to identity theft

A former Social Security employee behind bars due to identity theft (Photo: Experian)

An indictment claims that a 38-year-old Harlingen man who was a former Social Security employee was Arrested for Identity Theft and created false accounts to steal “at least” $75,000 in social security benefits.

In a report published by KRGV 5 News, the former Social Security employee is currently being held in federal detention.

On Wednesday, police detained Lee Marvin Nichols, 38, a former Social Security employee, on suspicion of grand theft auto and aggravated identity theft.

According to a U.S. news release from Attorney’s Office, Nichols worked as a claims specialist for the Social Security Administration in Harlingen and is accused of fabricating two children’s profiles.

According to the indictment, Nichols, who was a former Social Security employee, attempted to fabricate a survivor benefits application by connecting the profiles of the bogus children to those of a recently deceased man and a disabled lady living in Mexico.

The indictment claims that Nichols, who was a former Social Security employee has been paid “at least” $75,000 since September 2020 on behalf of the phony kids.

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According to the indictment of the former Social Security employee, Nichols also received $1,400 in phony children’s economic stimulus payments from the IRS. 

In a report published by Valley Central 4 News, according to the accusations of the former Social Security employee, Nichols took money out using debit cards that were given to the kids.

The indictment of the former Social Security employee claimed that when withdrawing money, the defendant “took various measures to attempt to conceal his identity…including using hats drawn low over his face, sunglasses, balaclavas, and other clothing to conceal his appearance.”

Nichols, the former Social Security employee, may spend up to 10 years in federal prison if she is found guilty of the more serious allegation of stealing government property.

On Friday, Nichols, the former Social Security employee, is anticipated to show up in court.

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