An illegal immigrant has been charged after using a stolen identity, illegally voting in U.S. elections, and receiving federal benefits.
The defendant, Colombian national Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, living in Boston, allegedly applied for a U.S. passport and obtained a Massachusetts Real ID as well as eight other state IDs.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, Orovio-Hernandez used a stolen identity to submit voter registration in January 2023, later voting in the November 2024 election. The Colombian also allegedly received $400,000 in federal benefits.
“For more than 20 years, this defendant is alleged to have built an entire life on the foundation of a stolen identity – including illegally voting in our presidential election and collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in government benefits intended for Americans in need,” U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley said in a statement. “The right to vote is one of the many privileges of being a U.S. citizen. Government funded programs for those in need are intended to be safety nets for those living in our country lawfully – not support an illegal alien without a right to be here.”
“Orovio-Hernandez allegedly spent two decades living under a stolen identity while simultaneously orchestrating a sophisticated multi-agency fraud scheme, misappropriating over $400,000 in federal benefits—funded by taxpayers—including Section 8 rental assistance funds,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Rice with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG).
The woman faces up to ten years in prison and fines of $250,000 on several counts.
