Texas Man Pleads Guilty to $108,000 Deceased Payee Fraud

From the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas: 

LAREDO, Texas – A Border Patrol supervisor has entered a guilty plea to stealing his deceased grandmother’s Social Security benefits, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. James J. Doran, 54, entered a guilty plea today before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker.

At the hearing, Doran admitted he failed to report his grandmother’s death to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in February 2000. After her death, Doran continued to negotiate his grandmother’s monthly widow’s benefits which were being deposited into their joint bank account. He admitted he stole the funds from the time of his grandmother’s death until August 2011. As a result of the illegal behavior, he collected a total of $108,516 in Social Security benefits to which he was not legally entitled.

Doran was permitted to remain on bond pending his sentencing hearing, which will set at a later date before Senior U.S. District Judge Kazen. At the time of sentencing, he will face up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by SSA - Office of Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General and the Bureau of Vital Statistics Fraud Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher A. dos Santos is prosecuting the case.

From the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas: 

LAREDO, Texas – A Border Patrol supervisor has entered a guilty plea to stealing his deceased grandmother’s Social Security benefits, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. James J. Doran, 54, entered a guilty plea today before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker.

At the hearing, Doran admitted he failed to report his grandmother’s death to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in February 2000. After her death, Doran continued to negotiate his grandmother’s monthly widow’s benefits which were being deposited into their joint bank account. He admitted he stole the funds from the time of his grandmother’s death until August 2011. As a result of the illegal behavior, he collected a total of $108,516 in Social Security benefits to which he was not legally entitled.

Doran was permitted to remain on bond pending his sentencing hearing, which will set at a later date before Senior U.S. District Judge Kazen. At the time of sentencing, he will face up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by SSA - Office of Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General and the Bureau of Vital Statistics Fraud Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher A. dos Santos is prosecuting the case.