Michigan woman allegedly took $121,000 in benefits while disabled uncle lacked utilities

A case from Michigan is among several Social Security fraud cases announced by the US Department of Justice as part of a nationwide enforcement effort targeting the misuse of federal benefits. According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Laura Whisenant allegedly misused nearly $121,000 in Social Security benefits belonging to her elderly, mentally disabled uncle over a period of seven years. The DOJ says Whisenant was serving as his representative payee, a role that allowed her to manage the benefits on his behalf. Prosecutors allege that while the money was being misused, her uncle was living in extremely poor conditions, in a house without running water, electricity or heat. The allegations form part of a broader September 2026 DOJ announcement detailing criminal cases involving more than $1.3 million in intended losses to the US government.