Colombian woman charged with illegally voting in 2024 election, stealing $400,000 in taxpayer funded benefits
Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, a Colombian woman living illegally in the United States, has been accused of living under a stolen identity for over 20 years, improperly receiving more than $400,000 in stolen federal benefits, and illegally voting in the 2024 presidential election, according to federal prosecutors.
The Justice Department stated that Orovio-Hernandez obtained welfare benefits, a REAL ID, and eight other state IDs using the stolen identity. She allegedly submitted a fraudulent voter registration in January 2023 and cast a ballot in the presidential election held last year. Surveillance footage from a bank showed her wearing an “I voted” sticker on Election Day, November 5, 2024.
Charges against Orovio-Hernandez include false representation of a Social Security number, making a false statement in a 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.
Authorities revealed that Orovio-Hernandez received $259,589 in Section 8 rental assistance benefits, $101,257 in Social Security disability benefits, and $43,348 in SNAP benefits using the stolen identity. US Attorney Leah B. Foley condemned her actions, stating that she had built her life on a stolen identity, including illegally voting in the presidential election and collecting government benefits meant for Americans in need.
Orovio-Hernandez also applied for a US passport, falsely claiming to be a US citizen born in Puerto Rico. Foley emphasized that she was not entitled to any of the benefits she received due to her illegal presence in the US. Amy Connelly, the special agent in charge for the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General in the Boston-New York field division, described Orovio-Hernandez’s actions as an abuse of a system designed to support those truly in need.
The case of Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez highlights the serious consequences of identity theft, illegal voting, and fraudulent benefit claims. Authorities are working to ensure that justice is served and that such actions are deterred in the future.
