News Summary
Cynthia Delores Holland, the former Aiken County Director of Voter Registration and Elections, has been convicted of fraud for stealing over $168,000 in Social Security benefits intended for her deceased mother. The fraud went undetected for nearly a decade before being discovered during a Social Security Administration investigation. Holland now faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and additional financial penalties.
Aiken, South Carolina – Former Elections Director Convicted of Fraud
Cynthia Delores Holland, 61, has been convicted of fraud by a federal jury for stealing Social Security benefits. The jury found Holland guilty after a day and a half of trial, holding her responsible for the theft of government property related to her deceased mother’s retirement benefits.
Holland, who was formerly the Aiken County Director of Voter Registration and Elections, improperly received over $168,000 in Social Security benefits that were mistakenly deposited into a joint account held by her and her mother after her mother’s death in 2013. Instead of informing the Social Security Administration (SSA) of the error, Holland transferred the funds to her personal account and continued to spend them.
The fraudulent activity went unnoticed for nearly a decade until December 2022, when the SSA discovered the discrepancy and terminated the benefits. This investigation began after the SSA identified the issue in 2021 as part of its methodical Death Match Project, comparing death records from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control with its retirement beneficiary records.
Details of the Conviction
The conviction was announced following a thorough investigation into Holland’s actions, which consisted of a “decade of deception” according to federal authorities. The case was further solidified with the evidence that showed Holland failing to notify the SSA about her mother’s passing, resulting in continued benefits meant for her deceased mother.
In July 2024, Holland was indicted and now faces serious repercussions, including a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, a potential fine reaching $250,000, restitution, and an additional three years of supervised release after serving time. Her retirement from the Aiken County office in May 2024 spanned 25 years, during which she held the director position since 2011.
Reactions to the Case
U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling, in highlighting the severity of the fraud, pointed out the importance of protecting taxpayer-funded systems from corruption and deception. Michelle L. Anderson, Acting Inspector General for the SSA, echoed these sentiments, condemning Holland’s exploitation of her deceased mother’s benefits.
Background of the Case
The fraudulent benefits payments continued from 2013 until December 2022, relying on the continued deposits into the joint account. Holland’s actions were identified when the SSA’s Death Match Project flagged the anomaly of her mother’s name still appearing on the beneficiary list, prompting a deeper investigation into the matter and revealing the extent of the fraud committed by Holland.
The case has drawn attention not just for the nature of the fraud but also due to Holland’s former role supervising elections in Aiken County, underscoring the responsibility public officials have in upholding integrity and trust. As the investigation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the mechanisms in place to detect and combat fraudulent actions within government funding systems.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Former Elections Director Convicted of Fraud
- Wikipedia: Social Security (United States)
- Post and Courier: Federal Charges Filed Against Aiken County Woman
- Google Search: Fraud and Government Benefits
- Post and Courier: Two Sentenced for Theft from Veterans Affairs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fraud
- Post and Courier: Judges’ Gavel Justice in Aiken County
- Google News: Government Fraud Cases
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
