Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Social Security Income

A 33-year-old Tyler man pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing government property in the Eastern District of Texas, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie, according to a press release.

From January 2003 to September 2010, Raymond Kyle Welsh concealed and failed to disclose his financial resources and income in order receive Social Security and Medicaid benefits, according to the release.

Welsh stole about $26,588 from the Social Security Administration in the form of Social Security Supplemental Income payments and $213,981.19 from the Department of Health and Human Services in the form of Medicaid benefits, the release stated.
Welsh admitted that he knew he was not entitled to the benefits and that they belonged to the United States government, according to information presented in court.

The defendant faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a restitution payment of $240,569.19 and a forfeiture payment of $26,588 at sentencing, according to the release. A sentencing date has not been set.

This case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Ann Cozby.

Source:  http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20130105/NEWS08/130109909/0/FRONTPAGE