Wellington woman charged with collecting disability payments while working

A Wellington woman has been indicted on federal charges of collecting nearly $100,000 in disability benefits while she was working - and on using a church’s credit card to obtain cash and buy various items for herself, authorities said.

Amy D. McLain, 49, was charged Wednesday with one count of Social Security fraud, one count of theft of government funds, two counts of making false statements and one count of wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said in a prepared statement.

McLain is accused of collecting more than $92,000 in Social Security disability benefits. The indictment alleged that McClain was working for Kreifels Communications and Rural 2.4 Ghz, Inc., while receiving disability benefits.

Her husband, Jeffrey McLain, of Wellington and her employer, Scott Kriefels, of Wellington, agreed with her that her paychecks would be issued in her husband’s name, the indictment alleged. Amy McLain filed federal paperwork stating that she did not have a job.

She was also charged with misusing a credit card belonging to the First Baptist Church in Wellington, Beall said. She used the card to buy meals, make-up, perfume and purses.

Jeffrey McLain, 48, was charged with one count of Social Security fraud and one count of theft of government funds. Kreifels, 57, was charged with one count of Social Security fraud and one count of theft of government funds.

Convictions for Social Security fraud, theft of government funds or making a false statement carry a sentence of up to five years in federal prison and a fine as high as $250,000 on each count.

Wire fraud carries a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine as high as $250,000.

This story was originally published November 1, 2017 at 8:06 PM with the headline "Wellington woman charged with collecting disability payments while working."