Timmy S. Stephens from Villa Rica has been sentenced for fraudulently obtaining disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) over two decades. Despite claiming disability, Stephens worked at a local funeral home during this period.
"Stephens perpetrated a two-decades long fraud on the Social Security Administration," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. He emphasized that the disability program is meant for those unable to work due to health conditions and that misusing these funds betrays both the SSA and its beneficiaries.
Evidence presented in court revealed that Stephens began receiving benefits in August 2002 due to a cardiac condition. The SSA informed him of his obligation to report any improvement in his condition or return to work. However, he started working at a funeral home in January 2003 without notifying the SSA. To hide his employment, he arranged for his earnings to be reported under a relative's social security number.
The SSA eventually discovered this deception and learned about Stephens' employment activities. In response, Stephens submitted false reports claiming unemployment since 2001 and lied during an interview with federal agents while providing falsified time sheets.
In total, Stephens received over $360,000 in benefits while capable of working. He has been sentenced to nine months in prison followed by three years of supervised release and must pay a fine of $5,500 along with restitution amounting to $126,560.50. His conviction came after pleading guilty on October 17, 2024.
The investigation was conducted 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 via email at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or phone at (404) 581-6280. Further details can be found on their website: http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.