Chicago Woman Who Hid Mother's Body in Freezer Now Faces Federal Fraud Charges, DOJ Says
- On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced federal fraud charges against Eva Bratcher, 72, alleging she stole over $20,000 in benefits intended for her deceased mother, Regina Michalski.
- Prosecutors allege Bratcher concealed Michalski's death after she died on March 4, 2021, keeping the body in a freezer at their West Melrose Street home for nearly two years to continue collecting government payments.
- "During those two years, Bratcher assumed her mother's identity, collected her mother's SSA benefits, and used her mother's benefits," according to the DOJ. She also allegedly used an alternative Social Security number to obtain further SNAP funds.
- Bratcher is one of 17 defendants charged nationwide in a $1.3 million Social Security fraud crackdown. Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald stated, "Every dollar stolen is a dollar taken from a retiree's medicine, meals, or housing."
- Scheduled for an initial court appearance at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Thursday, Bratcher previously served 213 days in jail following a 2023 state-level conviction for concealing her mother's death and now faces up to five years in prison.
25 Articles
25 Articles
DOJ Charges 17 In Social Security Fraud Sweep
The Justice Department announced Tuesday that federal prosecutors charged 17 defendants in a nationwide Social Security fraud enforcement surge involving more than $1.3 million in alleged intended losses, including cases brought in Texas. The September 29 announcement comes less than a week after the Social Security Administration’s watchdog disclosed a separate problem involving approximately $1 […]
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Cryptocurrency News | Cryptocurrency Prices | Market CapIllinois Woman Accused of Hiding Dead Mother in Garage Freezer for Two Years To Steal Social Security Benefits
Federal prosecutors have charged 17 defendants with stealing more than $1,340,000 in Social Security benefits during a one-month enforcement surge. The Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, working with 11 U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, brought the cases between August 21st and September 18th of 2026, says the […]
An Illinois woman allegedly concealed her mother’s body in a garage freezer for two years, assumed her identity and continued collecting Social Security and food benefits; prosecutors put the intended loss at $21,402
A Chicago case involving an elderly woman’s death has taken a new turn in federal court, with prosecutors alleging that her daughter concealed her
DOJ charges 17 defendants for Social Security fraud, including woman who allegedly kept ‘mother’s body in a deep freezer’ for 2 years
The U.S. Department of Justice's National Fraud Enforcement Division announced charges against 17 defendants accused of fraud schemes targeting benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), including Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Mom In The Freezer, Checks In The Mail: Illinois Woman Slapped With Federal Fraud Charges
Federal prosecutors have charged a Chicago woman with stealing government benefits after she allegedly hid her mother’s body in a garage freezer for nearly two years. Eva Bratcher faces three federal fraud counts for allegedly taking $21,402 in Social Security checks meant for her mother, Regina Michalski, after Michalski died. The Justice Department said that […] Mom In The Freezer, Checks In The Mail: Illinois Woman Slapped With Federal Fraud …
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