MOUNTAIN CITIZEN STAFF

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Mingo County woman pleaded guilty Thursday falsely claimed to be her deceased sister and illegally collecting Social Security benefits.

Diana Cisco, 69, of Delbarton, received $46,356 from June 2016 to April 2020, U.S. Attorney Will Thompson said.

Cisco initially denied who she was, and informed the Social Security special agents she was her sister. Thompson said Cisco told agents that “Diana Cisco” would be in Columbus, Ohio, for at least a month.

Federal agents uncovered the falsehood by checking vehicle registration records and photographs of Cisco and obtaining statements from individuals who had recently seen Cisco. Confronted again, Cisco admitted that she was not telling the agents the truth.

Cisco is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 1, 2022. She faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $750,000 fine.