Laura Virginia Howard, a 76-year-old resident of Muskogee, Oklahoma, has pleaded guilty to theft of public monies. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Howard entered her plea in response to a one-count felony information charge. This charge carries a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
The Information accused Howard of embezzling funds from the United States and the Social Security Administration between February 28, 2007, and June 26, 2024. It was alleged that she knowingly converted over $1,000 intended for a retirement claimant for her own use and the use of others, despite knowing she was not entitled to these funds.
The case stemmed from an investigation conducted by the Social Security Administration—Office of the Inspector General. The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted Howard’s plea and has ordered a presentence investigation report.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine Howard’s sentence after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines along with other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Satter, Kara Traster, and Jonathan Soverly are representing the United States in this case.
