Former SSA Employee Sentenced for Social Security and Medicare Fraud

Defendant Collected SSA Disability Benefits While Employed by Agency

Baltimore, Maryland  - U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Christopher George Perry, age 50, of Baltimore, today to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for social security disability fraud, federal health benefit program fraud and health care fraud. 

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Michael McGill of the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia  Field Division; and Special Agent in Charge Nicholas DiGiulio, Office of  Investigations, Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Christopher Perry defrauded the Social Security Administration and Medicare by collecting disability benefits for more than a decade although he was able to work, and he continued his scheme even while he was working as a Social Security Administration employee,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.

According to evidence presented at the four day trial, Perry was receiving social security-  long term disability benefits since 1996.   In 1998, he began receiving Medicare benefits as a result of his disability. In 2007, Perry also applied for and received a low income subsidy for his prescription drug benefits under Medicare. 

Perry returned to work in 1996.  Perry worked at various jobs and attended college without disclosing his work activities to the disability section of the Social Security Administration (SSA) or to Medicare.  In June 2007, Perry was hired to be a benefits authorizer with the SSA where he worked on cases pertaining to long term disability benefits.  His salary was approximately $38,000.  Perry continued to receive disability benefits, prescription drug benefits and the low income subsidy, and never disclosed that he was fully employed to the disability section of SSA or to Medicare.   In 2002 and 2007, Perry purchased new automobiles while receiving disability benefits. 

According to evidence introduced at trial, SSA and Medicare collectively overpaid Perry more than $150,000 in benefits.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the Social Security Administration - OIG and Department of Health and Human Services - OIG for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Wilkinson, who prosecuted the case.