JUNIATA COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — A Juniata County woman pled guilty on Friday to three counts of social security fraud and theft of social security and federal housing funds.

According to the Department of Justice, Doris Santana, age 53, of Thompsontown, Pennsylvania, was a member of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP), which provided rental assistance to eligible recipients. Between May 2018 and September 2024, Santana also received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

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The DOJ says in April 2011, Santana married her now-husband, which made her ineligible to receive SSI and Housing Choice Voucher Program funds. However, Santana concealed the marriage from the SSA and HUD and continued accepting the money from the programs. According to the DOJ, over the relevant period, Santana’s conduct resulted in an alleged total loss of $145,397.30 from the SSA and HUD.

Per the DOJ, the maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is up to 25 years of prison time, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence
following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal
sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

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