Press Release
U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Hawaii
PJKK Federal Building (808) 541-2850
300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 6-100 FAX (808) 541-2958
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850
August 30, 2007
For Immediate Release
P R E S S R E L E A S E
A federal grand jury today indicted Patricia Pendleton, aka Patricia Blackburn, Patricia Uehara (age 78); Christopher Brester (age 48); Roy Delorenia Daano, aka Rufino Daano (age 74); and Bon Von Jovi, aka Anthony Freel, Little Crowhorse O'bamsawin (age 47) for defrauding the social security system and/or related offenses. U. S. Attorney Ed Kubo said that Jeffrey Keola (age 47) was also charged by way of Information today.
According to court documents and information presented in court:
Pendleton is accused of social security and theft offenses relating to her use of two different identities and social security numbers and receiving two social security pensions resulting in an overpayment of approximately $50,000. Pendleton is also accused of fraudulently attempting to obtain additional social security benefits.
Brester is accused of social security and theft offenses related to his claim of disability when in fact he was working as a heavy machine mechanic resulting in an overpayment of approximately $158,000.
Daano is accused of social security and theft offenses related to his receipt of social security benefits intended for his former wife and step-children resulting in an overpayment of approximately $67,000.
Von Jovi is accused of social security and passport fraud offenses relating to his use of multiple identities and social security numbers.
Keola is accused of theft offenses relating to his continued receipt of his dead father's social security benefits resulting in an overpayment of approximately $83,000.
All the defendants face a maximum prison term of five years for the social security offenses; a maximum prison term of ten years for the theft offenses; and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence will be imposed by the court taking into account sentencing guidelines.
United States Attorney Kubo cautioned that the charges are only accusations and that the defendants are presumed to be innocent until convicted.
The Social Security Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. Anyone having information about Social Security fraud may call the Social Security Administration toll free Fraud Hotline at 808-269-0271 or e-mail a message to oig.hotline@ssa.gov. The prosecutions are being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Tracy Hino.
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