A San Diego woman pleaded guilty in federal court to concealing her father-in-law’s death in the Philippines in order to continue receiving his retirement benefits. Josephine Guinauli Aquino, 64, admitted that after her father-in-law died in August 2019, she continued to collect monthly payments from the Defense Finance Accounting Service and the Social Security Administration by hiding his death from both agencies and his bank.
Aquino acknowledged forging at least 150 checks on her father-in-law’s account and depositing pension checks from Nestle Corporation, which were sent to his last U.S. address, into his bank account using his bank card. She also admitted to causing further losses by collecting three economic impact payments issued during the COVID-19 pandemic that were intended for her deceased father-in-law.
As part of her plea agreement, Aquino has agreed to repay the Defense Finance Accounting Service, Social Security Administration, Treasury Department, and Nestle Corporation. She is scheduled for sentencing on February 13, 2026 before District Judge Janis L. Sammartino.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon stated: “By stealing benefits that did not belong to her, this defendant took money away from other veterans and elderly Americans in need. This office is committed to prosecuting those who defraud these important government programs.”
John E. Helsing of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General said: “Ms. Aquino’s guilty plea is an acknowledgement of her six-year fraud scheme in which she benefited financially to the detriment of the American taxpayer by unlawfully obtaining Department of Defense and Social Security benefits. DCIS, along with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice, will continue to aggressively investigate those who seek to enrich themselves through fraudulent schemes targeting the U.S. government.”
Christian Assaad from the Social Security Administration added: “Ms. Aquino’s deliberate decision to conceal her father-in-law’s death abroad and steal Social Security benefits for her own benefit represents a serious violation of the law. Safeguarding the integrity of Social Security programs is central to our mission, and we will continue to ensure that those who misuse these benefits are held accountable.” The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey D. Hill.
Aquino faces up to ten years in prison and a fine as high as $357,623 under charges related to receipt, concealment, and retention of stolen public money.
The investigation was conducted by the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General and Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.
