PHILADELPHIA — The federal government is suing Deborah Byrd, citing alleged breach of contract for failing to notify it of the death of her mother and continuing to collect benefits.
The United States of America filed a complaint on April 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against Byrd alleging that she failed to inform the plaintiff of Bobbie Jean Taylor Dixon's death so the government would stop making Social Security payments into her joint account with her daughter.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that it sustained financial damages from paying benefits despite their intended recipient having died. The plaintiff holds Byrd responsible because she allegedly failed to notify the plaintiff in order to continue to receive the benefit payments.
The plaintiff seeks damages, interest and any further relief this court grants. The case is being handled by United States Attorney Paul E. Skirtich in Pittsburgh.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case number 1:17-cv-00100-BR