Ten Chicago-area Defendants Charged in Separate Cases Alleging $1.27 Million in Social Security Fraud
CHICAGO ― Ten Chicago and area defendants were charged in separate federal criminal cases with stealing a total of more than $1.27 million from the federal government by fraudulently obtaining Social Security benefits. Six of the defendants allegedly engaged in the fraud by using false identities. These individuals either applied for Social Security benefits under multiple names or worked under one name and applied for benefits using another name, according to the charges. Other defendants allegedly continued to receive benefits from the account of a beneficiary who they knew was deceased and no longer entitled to receive payments. The cases were announced today by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and William Cotter, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.
In the false identity cases, the charges allege that those six defendants obtained Social Security benefits by claiming they were disabled or otherwise unable to maintain employment while simultaneously working and earning wages using a different identity.
SSA administers the payment of benefits from the United States to qualified individuals under various programs, including the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) program, the disability insurance program, and the supplemental security income program (SSI). The OASI program provides monthly cash benefits to retired individuals and to the surviving family members of individuals who had worked and were insured under the Social Security Act based on contributions from earnings. The SSI program provides monthly cash benefits to aged, disabled, and blind individuals who have assets and income levels that fall below certain levels.
The criminal cases were filed this month in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Eight defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury and two were charged in criminal informations, each on one felony count of theft of government funds. Seven defendants pleaded not guilty at their arraignments in U.S. District Court and the remaining three are scheduled to be arraigned this week.
“Stealing from the Social Security trust fund hurts the millions of hardworking Americans who contribute to the Social Security system,” Mr. Fardon said. “We will vigorously pursue those who abuse the system, so that we can protect those who legitimately need it.”
Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted, restitution is mandatory and the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines. The public is reminded that indictments and informations contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The defendant and the total fraud amount alleged in each case follow:
DAVID BAILOG, also known as “David Conti” and “David Bailey,” 45, of Chicago
Loss amount: $43,422
SHARIA BRYANT, a/k/a “Sharia Bailey,” 64, of Chicago
Loss amount: $69,241
IMOGENE DAVIS, a/k/a “Imogene Neely,” 63, of Chicago
Loss amount: $91,566
RONNIE DAVIS, a/k/a “Ronnie Wofford,” 67, of Chicago
Loss amount: $101,872
SHERRI MARSHALL, a/k/a “Sherri Williams,” 49, of Chicago
Loss amount: $43,189
PATRICIA McQUEEN, 58, of Chicago
Loss amount: $203,505
BETSY MINOR, 63, of Oak Lawn
Loss amount: $369,188
SIMONIA PATTERSON, 39, of Chicago
Loss amount: $130,929
LEIN SCOTT, a/k/a “Barry Scott,” 64, of Chicago
Loss amount: $126,919
SHIRLEY SIMMONS, 50, of Chicago
Loss amount: $95,247https://oig-files.ssa.gov/audits/full/social%20security%202014%20rel.pdf