Jury Convicts Tampa Woman Of Defrauding Government Of Federal Benefits

Below is a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Shirin Marshall (55, Tampa) guilty of four counts of mail fraud. Marshall faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 30, 2024. A grand jury had returned an indictment against Marshall on February 24, 2022.

According to the testimony and evidence presented at trial, in August 2000, Marshall claimed a back and shoulder injury while working as a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier. In July 2001, she filed a subsequent claim related to workplace stress. Marshall later began receiving disability benefits and wage compensation from the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Program (“DOL-OWCP”) mailed to her in monthly checks. An investigation by the U.S. Postal ServiceOffice of Inspector General revealed that Marshall concealed her physical capabilities, emotional state, and employment activities from the DOL-OWCP to continue receiving federal workers’ compensation benefits. Marshall also misrepresented her true medical condition to her treating physicians and made false representations on forms she annually submitted to DOL-OWCP. As result of Marshall’s fraudulent scheme, the DOL-OWCP provided her at least $500,000 in wage compensation she was not entitled to receive.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Pizzo.

Matt McCarthy