Idaho Man Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison for Social Security Disability Fraud

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Idaho:

BOISE – Jose Louis Fernandez, 44, of Caldwell, Idaho, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for Social Security fraud, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. United States District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Fernandez to pay $196,409.33 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release.

According to the plea agreement, Fernandez maintained two separate identities for the purpose of working under a false name while simultaneously collecting Social Security disability benefits under his true name. In April of 2012, during a Title II benefit review, Fernandez falsely indicated that he had not worked since the date of his last disability decision in 2001. Contrary to this statement, Fernandez had been working at a home-building company from June 2003 until May 2012. As a result of this fraud, Fernandez received Social Security disability benefits to which he was not entitled. He also received Medicare insurance benefits and benefits directed toward his children. The benefits paid as a result of Fernandez’s fraudulent actions were nearly $200,000.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General-Office of Investigations; Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Caldwell Police Department and United States Marshals Service.

BOISE – Jose Louis Fernandez, 44, of Caldwell, Idaho, was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for Social Security fraud, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. United States District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Fernandez to pay $196,409.33 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release.

According to the plea agreement, Fernandez maintained two separate identities for the purpose of working under a false name while simultaneously collecting Social Security disability benefits under his true name. In April of 2012, during a Title II benefit review, Fernandez falsely indicated that he had not worked since the date of his last disability decision in 2001. Contrary to this statement, Fernandez had been working at a home-building company from June 2003 until May 2012. As a result of this fraud, Fernandez received Social Security disability benefits to which he was not entitled. He also received Medicare insurance benefits and benefits directed toward his children. The benefits paid as a result of Fernandez’s fraudulent actions were nearly $200,000.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General-Office of Investigations; Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Caldwell Police Department and United States Marshals Service.