No Prison For Detroit-Area Woman Who Stole Almost $280K

DETROIT (AP) — A Detroit-area woman who stole nearly $280,000 from the federal government won't spend a day in prison.

Elaine Hayes was placed on supervised release, similar to probation, for three years Monday. Her mother died in 1989, but Hayes continued to collect benefits from the Social Security Administration for nearly 25 years.

In December, the 66-year-old pleaded guilty to theft of government money.

The government asked a judge Monday for some period of confinement. In a court filing, prosecutor Ryan Particka says it wasn't a "one-time lapse in judgment" for Hayes. But federal Judge George Caram Steeh declined to lock her up.

Defense attorney Marlon Evans asked for leniency, saying Hayes is in bad health with a pacemaker and diabetes.