Colorado Man Sentenced to 3 Months in Prison for Social Security, Veterans Affairs Fraud

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

DENVER – Albert Kenneth Lender, age 62, of Fountain, Colorado, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Philip A. Brimmer to serve three months in federal prison, followed by three years on supervised release for two counts of making false statements to the government, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General announced. Lender was also order to pay restitution to the government of over $130,000, the amount of loss, plus interest. He was ordered to report to a Bureau of Prisons facility within 15 days of designation.

Lender was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on June 17, 2014. He pled guilty on August 22, 2014. He was sentenced on January 27, 2015.

According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, Lender received benefits at a 100 percent disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 1991. That same year, he also began receiving benefits at a 100 percent disability rating from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Both agencies advised Lender that should his status change, he was to notify the agencies immediately. He also received follow up letters reinforcing that advisement.

Prior to January 2005, Lender caused Zac Towne Paint & Quarter Horses (Zac Towne) to be formed, listing his wife as the sole proprietor. Thereafter, he negotiated contracts on behalf of Zac Towne, including one with the City of Fountain for landscaping, ground maintenance, snow removal, and related services. He also worked to secure other contracts. Once the contracts were awarded, Lender performed the duties to fulfill the contracts, including the landscaping, ground maintenance and snow removal. He also hired others to assist him.

Based on Lender’s false representations and material omissions to both the VA and the SSA, Lender received more than $130,000 in disability benefits for which he was ineligible.

This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General, and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Davies.

DENVER – Albert Kenneth Lender, age 62, of Fountain, Colorado, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Philip A. Brimmer to serve three months in federal prison, followed by three years on supervised release for two counts of making false statements to the government, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General announced. Lender was also order to pay restitution to the government of over $130,000, the amount of loss, plus interest. He was ordered to report to a Bureau of Prisons facility within 15 days of designation.

Lender was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on June 17, 2014. He pled guilty on August 22, 2014. He was sentenced on January 27, 2015.

According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, Lender received benefits at a 100 percent disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 1991. That same year, he also began receiving benefits at a 100 percent disability rating from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Both agencies advised Lender that should his status change, he was to notify the agencies immediately. He also received follow up letters reinforcing that advisement.

Prior to January 2005, Lender caused Zac Towne Paint & Quarter Horses (Zac Towne) to be formed, listing his wife as the sole proprietor. Thereafter, he negotiated contracts on behalf of Zac Towne, including one with the City of Fountain for landscaping, ground maintenance, snow removal, and related services. He also worked to secure other contracts. Once the contracts were awarded, Lender performed the duties to fulfill the contracts, including the landscaping, ground maintenance and snow removal. He also hired others to assist him.

Based on Lender’s false representations and material omissions to both the VA and the SSA, Lender received more than $130,000 in disability benefits for which he was ineligible.

This case was investigated by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General, and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Davies.