Iowa Man Sentenced for Theft of Government Funds

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Dakota

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Fort Dodge, Iowa, man charged with Theft of Government Funds pleaded guilty to and was sentenced on December 18, 2023, by Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court.

Clarence Soper, age 64, was sentenced to three years of probation, and ordered to pay $13,372 in restitution to the Social Security Administration and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

After a cancer diagnosis in 2010, Soper was awarded Title II Disability Insurance Benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). When Soper was advised of the receipt of benefits, he was also advised of significant life events that would need to be reported, such as any change in employment or medical status, as these changes may impact his benefits. SSA completed a review of Soper’s file in 2020 after Soper received a “cancer free” diagnosis.  Based on the review, Soper was notified his benefits would cease in November. Soper requested a reconsideration and his benefits resumed in December. Soper remained cancer free and began working while his file was under reconsideration. Soper did not report his medical status nor his employment status to SSA while he continued to receive Disability Insurance Benefits.  

The investigation was conducted by the Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby Roesler.