Social Security and Disability Law

Former Social Security Employee of West Sacramento Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Defrauding the Social Security Administration

July 7, 2022

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California: SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Eric Lemoyne Willis, 46, of West Sacramento, was sentenced today to four years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States, theft of government property, and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, Willis and co-defendants,…

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Fresno Man Charged with Passport Fraud for Using a Deceased Child’s Identity to Renew a Passport

July 5, 2022

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California: FRESNO, Calif. — On May 26, 2022, a federal grand jury indicted Kenneth Laitman, aka John Rodman, 78, of Fresno, for passport fraud, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Laitman was arrested today and is scheduled to be arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheila Oberto at…

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Kanawha County Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud

July 5, 2022

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of West Virginia: CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Melissa Waller, 45, of St. Albans, pleaded guilty today to theft of Social Security benefits. According to court documents and statements made in court, Waller received Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits on behalf of a deceased relative. Waller admitted that she knew…

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Report: SSA Deficient in Handling Mail during Pandemic

June 30, 2022

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Former Warren County Businessman Admits Fraudulently Obtaining $1.8 Million in COVID-19 Loans Meant for Small Businesses

June 29, 2022

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey: NEWARK, N.J. – A Warren County, New Jersey, businessman today admitted fraudulently obtaining nearly $1.8 million in federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger and Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division announced. Rocco A. Malanga,…

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Two Indian Nationals Admit Receiving over $1.2 Million in Global Robocall Scam That Defrauded Elderly Victims

June 29, 2022

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey: NEWARK, N.J. – Two Indian nationals admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud by accepting illegally obtained $1.2 million in wire transfers from victims across the country, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Arushobike Mitra, 27, and Garbita Mitra, 24, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge…

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Belchertown Man Arrested for Social Security Fraud

June 27, 2022

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts: BOSTON – A Belchertown man was arrested yesterday in connection with fraudulently receiving Social Security disability benefits. Kenneth Pontz, 58, was charged with one count of theft of public funds. Pontz was released on conditions following an initial appearance yesterday in federal court in Springfield before U.S.…

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South Carolina Woman Sentenced to 28 Months in Prison for Stealing over $780,000 in Medicare and Social Security Benefits

June 17, 2022

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey: TRENTON, N.J. – A Hanahan, South Carolina, woman was sentenced to 28 months in prison for defrauding the government of hundreds of thousands of dollars in Social Security and Medicare benefits, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Martha Aguilar, 60, formerly of Middletown, New Jersey,…

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Attorney General James Announces Felony Guilty Plea of Long Island Man for Fraudulently Obtaining Disability Benefits

June 16, 2022

From the New York State Attorney General: NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the guilty plea of Anthony Ragusa, 52, formerly of Huntington, NY, for fraudulently collecting more than $200,000 in disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) charged that from 2013…

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Spearfish Woman Sentenced for Theft of Government Funds

June 16, 2022

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Dakota: United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Spearfish, South Dakota, woman convicted of Theft of Government Funds was sentenced on June 13, 2022, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier. Christi Marie Johnson, age 37, was sentenced to five years of probation, $16,594.50 in…

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