GALLIVANT FERRY WOMAN ADMITS LYING FOR BENEFITS

United States Attorney W. WALTER WILKINS stated today that Sharon Ginn Duren, age 41, of Gallivant Ferry, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court in Florence to making a false statement, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001. United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten accepted the plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Duren applied for Social Security survivor’s insurance benefits by providing proof of her husband’s death. In order to receive additional benefits, Duren falsely claimed also to be providing for her son. Duren received more than $10,000.00 in Social Security children’s insurance benefits by falsely claiming that her minor son was in her care and custody from June 2007 to March 2008, when in fact her son was in the custody of the Department of Social Services.

Mr. Wilkins stated the maximum penalty Duren can receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and imprisonment for five years.

The case was investigated by agents of the Social Security Administration. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II, of the Florence office handled the case.