Springfield Man Sentenced For Social Security Benefits Fraud

BOSTON – A Springfield man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Springfield for defrauding the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Charles Allen, 55, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael A. Ponsor to two years of probation including four months of home detention, and restitution of $97,012 to be paid to the SSA. In December 2012, Allen pleaded guilty to fraudulent concealment to secure unauthorized Social Security payments and false statement of a material fact for use in determining rights to Social Security payments.

From approximately June 1, 2003 through August 31, 2010, Allen received approximately $89,000 in fraudulently obtained Social Security Title II disability benefits. Allen was not entitled to receive these benefits because he was also working as the manager of a restaurant during that time period, which was information that he intentionally concealed from the SSA in order to continue receiving these benefits. In particular, on June 21, 2010, Allen stated falsely on a SSA form that he had not worked since January 29, 1999. That same day, agents of the SSA’s Office of Inspector General interviewed Allen, who initially claimed he was not working but then admitted that he was in fact working.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, Scott Antolik, Special Agent In Charge of the Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration, Office of Investigations – Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Ortiz's Springfield Branch Office.