Self-employed Munhall Man Took $18K In Compensation Benefits Through Fraud

PITTSBURGH – A suburban Pittsburgh man pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of Federal Employees’ Compensation Fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

William J. Miller, Jr., 52, of Munhall, Pa., pleaded guilty to one felony count before Senior United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill, Jr.

According to information presented to the Court at the guilty plea, Miller, in connection with the application and receipt of federal employees' compensation moneys and benefits, concealed and covered up the fact that he was self-employed and involved in a business enterprise. Miller's fraudulent conduct resulted in compensation checks totaling approximately $18,104.57 being issued to him during the period from March 13, 2011, to November 19, 2011, checks he knew he was not entitled to.

Judge Cohill scheduled sentencing for May 29, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentence, the court released Miller on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the Information in this case.