Woman Admits Stealing Government Benefits

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Posted: 7:42 AM Oct 15, 2008
Last Updated: 7:42 AM Oct 15, 2008
Reporter: Associated Press
Email Address: news@

12 comments

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A St. Albans woman has admitted cashing $45,000 in government benefits after the death of a relative.

Cynthia Lambert of St. Albans pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Charleston to theft of public money.

Federal prosecutors say Lambert submitted a false affidavit in November 2003 claiming the recipient of the Defense Department benefits was still alive. The recipient died in August of that year.

The 48-year-old Lambert faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing has been set for Jan. 22.

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Posted by: jennifer on Nov 2, 2008 at 11:39 AM
my e-boyfriend stole my disablity checks and so far nothing, will he go to jail for cashing goverment checks or will he walk????

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 16, 2008 at 12:46 PM
A man in huntington drug another man to death with his car and only got 2 years. How does that work?

Posted by: Concerned Citizen on Oct 16, 2008 at 09:08 AM
This woman broke the law, plain and simple. She should have to pay her debt to society but $250 Thou and 10 years? Over 10 years at the rate of $70,000 per year, it will cost the State $700,000 to keep her in prison. How do you compare that to the $45 Thou she stole? Although I can't agree with her methods, what does this Government expect when they have made it nearly impossible to survive financially in this country for the low to middle income folks? Then we see top government officials and Wall Street Tycoons break the law daily and all they get is a very light "slap on the wrist" and a "don't do that again" statement! All top officials have to learn to lead by example and the law SHOULD be MORE harsh on them then an average citizen. Law breakers should ALL pay there debt to society but let's make it reasonable for the crime committed and take into consideration the status of those that break the law!

Posted by: to Jack on Oct 16, 2008 at 08:11 AM
"she didn't have any money to start with or she wouldn't be stealing" suggests that those who don't have money are the ones that steal. That is not true. Have you ever thought that some people who have a lot have it because they stole it and those who do not have a lot do not have because they have enough morals not to steal? I don't have a lot and I wouldn't take a dime from my employer and I wouldn't think about cheating on my time. However, I see daily where those that have a lot are the ones that cheat on their time (sorry, that's stealing). People get use to certain life styles and in order to keep up with the Jones' end up stealing and making it look like they have a lot.

Posted by: WHAT A JOKE on Oct 15, 2008 at 05:45 PM
I KNOW A COUPLE THAT TOOK FROM SSI, LIVES IN A HOME NICER THAN MY OWN AND MY HUSBAND WORKS EVERYDAY AT A VERY HIGH PAYING JOB. THEY LIED, SAYING THEY DIDN'T LIVE TOGETHER, THEY ARE LIERS, ALWAYS HAVE BEEN AND DIDN'T GET IN TROUBLE. THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY BACK EVERY DIME, IF THAT MEANS THEY HAVE TO SELL THE HOUSE WITH IN GROUND POOL AND THE MANY CARS THEY OWN AND DRIVE. NOT ONLY DID THEY STEAL FROM THE GOVERNMENT, THEY STOLED FROM EVERY WORKING FAMILY IN THE STATE OF WV. WHAT A SHAME THEY GOT OFF AND THIS LADY MAY DO TIME. WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM????

Posted by: GARY on Oct 15, 2008 at 05:31 PM
YEH RIGHT,LIKE SHE CAN PAY 250,000 PABLO WHAT ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT STEALING FROM US,,LIKE IT OR NOT ,,I SAY SHE DID A GOOD JOB,OTHER THAN GETTING CAUGHT

Posted by: are u kidding? on Oct 15, 2008 at 05:21 PM
why should some people go to jail and others get off scott free over the same crimes? I know a couple that still have a big house, nice cars and a pool, they did the same thing as this woman, they didn't do time or give up anything. Maybe this lady should contact them and find out who they used as a lawyer.

Posted by: Me on Oct 15, 2008 at 04:14 PM
I don't even think a drug dealer or drunk driver gets that much!

Posted by: Jack on Oct 15, 2008 at 01:23 PM
10 years in prison? $250,00 fine? What a joke!!! She didnt have any money to start with or she wouldnt be stealing. How are these thugs that are fined going to pay? Go figure. ATTN. Let them keep the ten years in prison.

Posted by: Disgusted on Oct 15, 2008 at 10:20 AM
This is the most dispicable thing I have ever heard--even though I have seen shows on TV that dipict the same kind of thing. How could someone do this? To me it's disrespectful of the corpse also. She should be charged to the fullest extent. Just disgusting.

Posted by: mad on Oct 15, 2008 at 09:53 AM
why make her serve time Brenda and Ray Jude scam the Government and didn't serve a day so why should anyone else?

Posted by: Pablo on Oct 15, 2008 at 08:21 AM
This is nothing but stealing, which is wrong. Everyone knows this. Give her the 10 years (no parole or probation) and fine her the $250,000. Then make her pay for her room and board in prison. We taxpayers work hard for our money. We understand it takes taxes to run our county, state, and country. Why should the taxpayers take care of her in prison? She's the one that put herself there, so let her pay for her keep.

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