Brooklyn Man Sentenced For Theft Of Social Security Funds

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza today sentenced Antonio Rodriguez Soto (51, Brooklyn, NY) to 10 months in federal prison for theft of government property. The Court also ordered Soto to pay restitution in the amount of $89,143.50 to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Soto pleaded guilty to the charge on April 29, 2014.

According to court documents, Soto began receiving Social Security Disability Insurance payments in 1993. In 2012, he signed a Social Security form stating that he had last worked in 2000. An investigation by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General revealed that Soto was employed as a maintenance worker at a hotel in Kissimmee from 2005 through 2010, and that he did not have any apparent disability. Due to Soto’s fraudulent activities, the SSA lost $89,143.50. Specifically, Soto’s unreported work activity caused him to be overpaid $57,541.50. In addition, those earnings disqualified his children from receiving benefits. His son was overpaid $26,252.00 and his daughter was overpaid $5,350.00.

This case was investigated by Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Haas.