Former Aiken County Elections Director Convicted of $168K Social Security Fraud

Cynthia Delores Holland, former director of voter registration and elections in Aiken County, South Carolina, was convicted by a federal jury for fraudulently obtaining over $168,000 in Social Security benefits intended for her deceased mother. Holland received the benefits for nearly a decade after her mother's death in 2013, as the funds were mistakenly deposited into a joint bank account. Instead of reporting the error, Holland transferred the money to her personal account and spent it until the Social Security Administration (SSA) discovered the discrepancy in 2022 during its Death Match Project, which cross-references death records with beneficiary lists. She faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervised release. Officials highlighted the betrayal of public trust given Holland's former official role, emphasizing the commitment to preventing fraud against taxpayer-funded programs. Sentencing will follow after a probation report is prepared.