South Carolina Family Charged with Defrauding Social Security

Robert Wilson Hawkins Jr., age 50 his wife, Deborah Hawkins 54 and his brother, William Hawkins, 48, all of Clover, South Carolina were charged in a three-count Indictment with conspiracy to defraud the United States as well as defrauding the United States, violations of 18 United States Code, 371 and 641. Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for the charges are five and ten years imprisonment respectively. William Hawkins is the owner of IND-Tech, a Clover machine shop specializing in textile parts and repair work.

In addition, Robert Wilson Hawkins, Jr. was also charged with making a false statement in connection with receipt of Social Security disability benefits in violation of 42 United States Code, Section 408(a)(4). Mr. Nettles stated the maximum penalty for this charge is five years imprisonment. The case was investigated by agents of the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, and is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney T. DeWayne Pearson of the Columbia office for prosecution.

The United States Attorney stated that all charges in these Indictments are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.