Robert Anthony Monsen, a 49-year-old resident of Herriman, Utah, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay over $561,000 in restitution to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Medicare. This follows his guilty plea in September 2024 for theft of public money, property, or records.
Senior U.S. District Court Judge Ted Stewart delivered the sentence after it was revealed that Monsen fraudulently collected SSA disability and Medicare benefits from September 2010 to November 2023. Despite claiming severe back injuries that prevented him from working, Monsen held several jobs in bail bonds, security, and restaurant sectors. He concealed his income by routing paychecks through an LLC under another individual's name.
Court documents indicated that Monsen continued receiving Title II Disability benefits at $1,981 per month until November 2023 without reporting any health improvements. Over the years, he fraudulently obtained more than $561,000 in federal funds intended for vulnerable individuals. This sum included $274,479.10 in Title II disability benefits, $59,492 in child auxiliary benefits, and $227,079.60 in Medicare claims.
U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins commented on the case: “Mr. Monsen not only fraudulently obtained over half a million dollars from taxpayers but he took benefits reserved for individuals who cannot work due to a severe medical condition.” She emphasized her office's commitment to protecting vulnerable populations through prosecution.
Hannibal “Mike” Ware, Acting Inspector General for SSA stated: “This 18-month prison sentence was based on Mr. Monson’s deceitful and criminal scheme to defraud SSA." He highlighted the importance of Social Security disability insurance benefits and vowed continued efforts to protect them.
The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration's Cooperative Disability Investigations Unit with Special Assistant United States Attorney Sachiko J. Jepson prosecuting the case.