NORMAN TOUPS, JR. PLEADS GUILTY TO DEFRAUDING SOCIAL SECURITY
NORMAN TOUPS, JR., age 63, a resident of Jefferson Parish, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court before U.S. District Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr., to a one-count bill of information charging him with theft of government funds, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to the Bill of Information, TOUPS made false statements in an application to the Social Security Administration for disability benefits claiming that he could no longer work as a security guard due to severe leg pain. In his application, TOUPS also claimed that he was financially destitute when, in truth and fact, he owned several valuable pieces of real estate in the New Orleans area. As a result of his false statements to Social Security, it is alleged that TOUPS received $53,632,79 in disability benefits to which he was not entitled.
TOUPS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, a $250,000 fine, restitution, and three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for March 6, 2013.
The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Spiro Latsis.
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