Attorney General Kris Mayes has announced the extradition of Joseph P. Stanton from Spain to Arizona. Stanton, indicted in 2022, is accused of orchestrating a scheme to fraudulently obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD) benefits through forged medical records.
"I am grateful for the efforts of the prosecutors and agents at my office and the U.S. Marshals in bringing the defendant back to Arizona to face justice," stated Attorney General Mayes. "All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, but fleeing the country does not mean escaping accountability—and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure justice is served."
Stanton allegedly claimed he had Stage III pancreatic and liver cancers to collect SSD benefits. Although his application was initially denied, he appealed using falsified medical documents, which led to an investigation by the Arizona Department of Economic Security’s Disability Determination Services (DES/DDS). The investigation revealed fraudulent claims, including Stanton's admission to law enforcement in December 2020.
Stanton faces several felony charges: one count of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices (a Class 2 felony) and three counts of Forgery (Class 4 felonies). He has been returned to Arizona for prosecution.
A copy of the indictment is available here.