PHOENIX (LAWFUEL) – A federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a 2-count indictment yesterday against Catherine Sue Iliff, 60, of Tempe, Ariz., charging her with Theft of Public Monies. She will receive a summons to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge David K. Duncan for arraignment on the charges.
The indictment alleges that commencing upon the death of her mother in January 1999, Iliff knowingly continued to receive and use her deceased mother’s Civil Service Retirement System retirement benefits and survivor annuity benefits. From April 2004 through June 2006, she received approximately $60,054 in retirement benefits and $28,257 in survivor benefits. The government was only able to cover the period 2004 through 2006 because of the statute of limitations.
A conviction for Theft of Public Monies carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $ 250,000 fine or both. In determining an actual sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Susan R. Bolton will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.
An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Office of Personnel Management, Office of Inspector General. The prosecution is being handled by Mark Brnovich, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-09-235-PHX-SRB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2009-072(Iliff)
