Ogallala Man Sentenced for Social Security Fraud
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that Hap E. Staman, age 57 of Ogallala, Nebraska, was sentenced in Omaha today by United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp, to serve 5 years on Probation, for Social Security Fraud, in violation of federal law. In addition to his prison term, he was ordered to make restitution to the SSA in the amount of $56,995.00.
Staman applied for Social Security Disability benefits on December 29, 1997, following injuries he incurred from a work-site accident when a vehicle moved forward in a mechanics shop, pinning his body between the vehicle and a workbench/wall. That application advised him of his duty to report work activity. Between July 2004 and August 2005, he failed to report to SSA that he worked as an accountant, thereby accruing $12,760 in benefits to which he was not entitled. Staman earned a Bachelors degree in accounting and gained employment as an entry level accountant. He did not report to Social Security this employment. Social Security learned of this employment and terminated his benefits. Staman then quit the accounting job and was for a second time legitimately receiving Social Security Disability benefits; however, his monthly benefit was reduced in order for Social Security to recoup earlier overpayment. Between November 2007 and March 2011, he again failed to report to SSA that he worked as a driver for "Negotiable Affections"( a company owned and run by Staman and his wife), thereby accruing $48,039 in benefits to which he was not entitled, for a total of $60,799.00.
This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Social Security Administration.
