How Did a Top Aide Slip Through the Cracks with a 105-Year-Old Identity?
By M. Thomas Nast, Frankie Pressman, and Rick LaRivière, with Richard Luthmann
In yet another bombshell scandal shaking New York City politics, reports show that Marci D. Bishop, Chief of Staff to embattled Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, has multiple Social Security numbers attributed to her—one of which is listed at an age of 105.
The revelations come amid growing national scrutiny of Social Security fraud, with former President Donald Trump vowing to crack down on government waste.
Elon Musk and his newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have also flagged millions of fraudulent Social Security numbers, including those linked to individuals supposedly over a century old.
Now, Bishop finds herself at the center of what could become a significant federal fraud investigation in NYC politics.
How Does a 57-Year-Old Have a 105-Year-Old’s Social Security Number?
Public records obtained show that Bishop is associated with two separate SSNs, one of which lists her birth year as 1920, making her a staggering 105 years old.
Meanwhile, another record correctly places her birth year in 1967.
The discrepancy raises serious concerns about identity fraud and possible misuse of federal benefits.
The implications could be massive. Federal audits have already uncovered that thousands of Social Security numbers linked to deceased or fictitious individuals remain active, sometimes used for fraud or illicit financial transactions.
Musk himself recently exposed the Social Security Administration’s database, revealing that over 20 million Americans supposedly over 100 years old are still listed as alive, with some even receiving benefits.
“According to the Social Security database, there are FAR more ‘eligible’ numbers than there are citizens in the USA. This might be the biggest fraud in history,” Musk posted on X.
Hanks and McMahon: Incompetent or Complicit in NYC Social Security Fraud?
Bishop, who previously worked for Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, was never flagged for this anomaly before being hired as Hanks’s Chief of Staff.
She even appeared in public honor ceremonies alongside McMahon and other Staten Island officials.
Bishop’s name remains on the RCDA’s website under “Community Partnerships.”
How did the DA’s office and the NYC Council miss something this blatant? Did they fail to run a basic background check, or did they ignore red flags?
Legal journalist, investigative reporter, and commentator Richard Luthmann thinks it’s “willful blindness.”
“McMahon’s entire philosophy on crime is ass-backwards. The most dangerous place on Staten Island is between him and a camera,” Luthmann said. “The Feds already have plenty on him. Maybe they’ll interview William Peck. He died almost two decades ago and has been voting for McMahon ever since.”
As of press time, McMahon’s office has refused to comment on whether they were aware of the discrepancies in Bishop’s records. Here is what we asked:
From: Modern Thomas Nast <[email protected]>
Date: On Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Subject: Press Inquiry Regarding NYC Council Chief of Staff Marci D. Bishop, Attorney and former employee of the RCDA’s Office
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>, [email protected] <[email protected]>
CC: Rick LaRivière <[email protected]>, [email protected] <[email protected]>Dear District Attorney Michael E. McMahon,
We are investigative reporters with NYNewsPress.com.
We are about to go to press with an article regarding Marci D. Bishop, Chief of Staff for NYC Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, an attorney, and a former employee of your office. Records detail that Bishop has multiple social security numbers, one of which is listed as 105 years old. Please see the attached.
We wanted to get your comments. Here are our questions:
Background and Employment
1. Marci Bishop previously worked for your office as the Director of Civic Engagement. Can you confirm her employment dates and responsibilities?
2. Why is Bishop’s name still listed on the Richmond County District Attorney’s website despite her employment at the NYC Council?
3. What background checks did your office conduct before hiring Bishop?
4. Were any discrepancies in her Social Security records flagged during her time at the DA’s office?
5. Did your office ever investigate any potential fraud or irregularities related to Bishop during her tenure?Social Security Fraud Allegations
6. Public records show Bishop is associated with multiple Social Security Numbers, including one listing her as 105 years old. Were you aware of this?
7. If your office was aware of these discrepancies, why was no action taken?
8. If your office was unaware, what does that say about the integrity of your background check process?
9. Has your office launched an internal review to determine whether Bishop engaged in Social Security fraud?
10. If fraud is confirmed, will you refer the case to federal authorities or pursue charges locally?Political and Legal Implications
11. Given the seriousness of Social Security fraud, will your office publicly commit to investigating this matter?
12. Has your office received any complaints or whistleblower reports regarding Bishop’s use of fraudulent SSNs?
13. Did Bishop have access to sensitive information at the DA’s office that could have facilitated fraudulent activities?
14. Has the DA’s office ever prosecuted similar cases of Social Security fraud? If so, how does this case compare?
15. Has any law enforcement agency, including the NYPD or federal authorities, reached out to your office regarding Bishop?Connection to Kamillah Hanks
16. Bishop is now Chief of Staff for Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, who has been embroiled in political scandals. Have you had any discussions with Hanks about Bishop’s potential legal issues?
17. If Bishop engaged in fraud while working for your office, does that raise concerns about the integrity of other employees you’ve hired?
18. Should Councilmember Hanks terminate Bishop’s employment given these allegations?
19. Does this scandal damage public confidence in your office’s ability to vet staff and conduct oversight?
20. Would you recuse yourself from any investigation into Bishop due to your past working relationship with her?Next Steps and Accountability
21. Will your office request federal assistance to investigate possible Social Security fraud linked to Bishop?
22. What steps are you taking to ensure no other employees in your office have fraudulent identities?
23. Will you commit to releasing a full report on any findings related to Bishop?
24. Should New Yorkers be concerned that your office allowed a staffer with potential fraudulent activity to serve in a position of public trust?
25. How do you respond to critics who say this situation reflects either incompetence or willful blindness on your part?Again, we intend to go to press shortly. Please respond so we can provide our readership a fair and balanced perspective. If we receive your responses after press time, we will include them in a follow-up.
Thank you in advance for your time.
Regards,
Modern Thomas Nast
Meanwhile, Hanks, already under fire for political scandals and a dwindling re-election campaign, has yet to respond to calls for Bishop’s resignation.
As of press time, Hanks, her council staff, and her campaign had not responded to requests for comment.
Sources within Staten Island’s Democratic Party suggest that Hanks’s failure to properly vet staff is just another example of her incompetence.
“Kamillah is an absentee Council Member. She thinks she’s better than the county committee, and she’s not part of the community,” said a county committee member who wished to go unnamed. “No one trusts her, so we didn’t endorse her as an incumbent. The North Shore needs change.”
With strong challengers like NYPD line-of-duty widow Jozette Carter-Williams and community activist Abou Diakhate rising, insiders say Hanks’ days in office are numbered.
Speaker Adams’s office did not respond to requests for comment. Political insiders say that’s not surprising.
“Kamillah Hanks is so poorly regarded in NYC government, if she wanted to talk to an Adams, her best chance is a seance with John and Abigail,” a well-known Manhattan Democratic Consultant said.
NYC Social Security Fraud: Trump’s DOJ and Bondi on the Case?
President Trump has made Social Security fraud a top priority. In his recent address to Congress, he singled out the alarming number of fraudulent SSNs linked to centenarians and vowed that his administration would track down the fraudsters.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has been tasked with overseeing these investigations.
“By slashing all the fraud, waste, and theft we can find, we will defeat inflation, bring down mortgage rates, lower grocery prices, and protect our seniors,” Trump declared.
With Bishop’s case now gaining attention, federal investigators could soon have their sights set on NYC’s government offices.
If charges are brought against Bishop, it could expose deeper corruption within the city’s political machine.
Hank’s Political Future on the Brink
Hanks was already facing a tough primary battle with no support from the Staten Island Democratic Committee. Now, with her top aide implicated in a possible fraud scandal, her chances of survival look even bleaker.
Kamillah Hanks Political Scandal: Liar in the Limelight as House of Lies Crumbles on Staten Island
The controversy adds to the growing list of issues surrounding her administration, including allegations of lies, backroom deals, and misuse of public funds.
“She’s burning every bridge she has left,” said a well-known Manhattan Democratic political insider. “This Social Security fraud scandal could be the final nail in the coffin.”
As the investigation unfolds, the big question remains: Will Hanks cut ties with Bishop, or will she go down with her?
One thing is certain—this scandal isn’t going away anytime soon.
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