No Death Row Inmates Getting Funds, Agency Says
- Share via
SACRAMENTO — Embarrassed about mistakenly funneling nearly $80,000 to serial killer William Bonin before his execution last month, Social Security Administration officials reported Thursday that a review discovered no other death row inmates in California receive illegal benefits.
Aside from the much-criticized snafu involving the so-called “Freeway Killer,” the Social Security survey failed to turn up any condemned inmates in California, Arizona or Nevada receiving payments.
Leslie Walker, a spokeswoman for the Social Security Administration’s western region office, said the agency has yet to determine how the error happened, but “we still take full responsibility for what occurred.”
Social Security benefits are by law prohibited for any convict serving longer than a year behind bars.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
John Orr was a renowned fire investigator who was also a prolific arsonist, and whose thinly veiled novel helped to convict him. In this episode we hear from the fire captain who first suspected him—and from Orr himself.
Tom Girardi was a legal legend—until he was found guilty of stealing millions from his own clients. Host Madison McGhee and pop culture commentator Kiki Monique unpack how his downfall became a Real Housewives scandal, and what Erika Jayne may or may not have known. Plus, L.A. Times reporter Harriet Ryan joins to share how she helped bring Girardi’s crimes to light.
Sammy Roth visits America’s second-largest nuclear plant, Arizona’s Palo Verde Generating Station, and sits down with three experts to explore the pros and cons of atomic energy.
