Georgia Mom Posed as Dead Son to Collect $151K From Insurance Policy

Prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, say a woman has admitted to collecting more than $151,000 on a fraudulent insurance policy she took out in her dead son’s name.

Donna Ellis Gibbs was sentenced to 20 years’ probation in the case after pleading guilty. She faced five counts of insurance fraud and one count of theft by taking.

Prosecutors say Gibbs pretended to be her deceased son and applied for an accidental death policy two months after his death in a December 2002 car crash. She later submitted a claim and collected the full policy amount.

Gibbs’ ex-husband, the son’s father, uncovered the plot in March 2007.

The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office says Gibbs’ sentence can be terminated after five years if she successfully completes the terms of her plea agreement.