A Colombian woman who had been living illegally in the United States was recently revealed to have lived under a stolen identity for over 20 years, during which she improperly received more than $400,000 in stolen federal benefits and illegally voted in the 2024 presidential election, according to federal prosecutors.
Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, aged 59, managed to obtain welfare benefits, a REAL ID, and eight other state IDs using the stolen identity, the Justice Department disclosed. She allegedly submitted a fraudulent voter registration in January 2023 and cast a ballot in the last year’s presidential election, as captured on surveillance footage at a bank where she was seen wearing an “I voted” sticker on Election Day.
Orovio-Hernandez is facing charges including false representation of a Social Security number, making a false statement in a US passport application, aggravated identity theft, receiving stolen government money or property, fraudulent voter registration, and fraudulent voting. She has been in federal custody since February when she was initially charged with identity theft and other offenses.
The defendant is said to have improperly received $400,000 in federal benefits, including Section 8 rental assistance benefits, Social Security disability benefits, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. US Attorney Leah B. Foley condemned Orovio-Hernandez’s actions, stating that she had built her entire life on a stolen identity, which included illegal voting and fraudulent benefit claims.
Orovio-Hernandez even went as far as applying for a US passport by falsely claiming to be a US citizen born in Puerto Rico, further perpetuating her deception. Foley emphasized that the defendant was not entitled to any of the benefits she received due to her illegal presence in the country.
Amy Connelly, the special agent in charge for the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General in the Boston-New York field division, condemned the long-term abuse of the system meant to support those truly in need. She highlighted that stealing someone’s identity to unlawfully obtain Social Security benefits is not just theft but a violation of the system’s intended purpose.
The case of Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding personal identities and the consequences of fraudulent activities such as identity theft and benefit fraud. It also underscores the significance of upholding the integrity of the electoral process by preventing illegal voting practices.
