Timmy S. Stephens, a resident of Villa Rica, Georgia, has been sentenced for defrauding the Social Security Administration (SSA) by claiming disability benefits while employed at a local funeral home. For about 20 years, Stephens misrepresented his ability to work due to a cardiac condition.
“Stephens perpetrated a two-decades long fraud on the Social Security Administration,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. “The disability program is a wage replacement program for those members of our society who cannot work due to a physical or mental health condition. Stealing benefits from the Social Security trust fund betrays the Social Security Administration and the people the program is designed to help.”
Evidence presented in court revealed that Stephens began receiving disability benefits in August 2002. The SSA had informed him that any improvement in his condition or return to work should be reported. However, Stephens started working at a funeral home in January 2003 without notifying SSA and used a relative’s social security number for earnings reporting to conceal his employment.
The SSA discovered this deception and learned of Stephen’s employment activities. Subsequently, Stephens submitted false reports claiming he had not worked since 2001 and provided falsified time sheets during an investigation by federal agents.
In total, Stephens unlawfully received over $360,000 in disability benefits while capable of working. He was sentenced to nine months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $5,500 in fines along with restitution amounting to $126,560.50 after pleading guilty on October 17, 2024.
This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Diane C Schulman.
For more information contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
