West Virginia Man Sentenced for Social Security Disability Fraud

LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA -- A West Virginia man who hid his income from the Social Security Administration in order to continue receiving disability benefits was sentenced this afternoon in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Lynchburg.

In July, Gilbert Goff, 64, of Eccles, West Virginia, waived his right to be indicted and pled guilty to one count of theft of government monies. This morning in District Court, the defendant was sentenced to 24 months of incarceration. The defendant also agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $265,673.

“Mr. Goff fraudulently collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in disability payments from the Social Security Administration – money that should have been going to those actually in need,” United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy said today. “This office will pursue all those who steal from government programs.”

Previously, Goff admitted to concealing his earnings from the Social Security Administration so he could continue to receive disability benefits to which he was not entitled to. From 1990 through 2011, Goff received approximately $265,673 in fraudulent Social Security disability benefits.

The investigation into this case was conducted by the Social Security Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Charlene Day is prosecuting the case for the United States.