Malden Woman Sentenced for Stealing Social Security Benefits and Bank Embezzlement

BOSTON – A Malden woman was sentenced today for stealing Social Security benefits and embezzling over $27,000 from a bank.  

Materesa Jose, 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to time served (one day in prison) and three years of supervised release. Jose also was ordered to pay $27,605 in restitution. On Feb. 9, 2021, Jose pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public funds and one count of bank embezzlement. 

While an employee of Eastern Bank, Jose, through a series of checks and electronic fund transfers, stole approximately $27,605 from the bank between September 2017 and July 2018.  The majority of the stolen funds consisted of Social Security benefits. The account from which she stole the money belonged to an individual who had died in 2015.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Tonya Perkins, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; and William S. Walker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.