David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JESUS GARCIA, 59, of Hartford, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to one year of probation, the first two months of which GARCIA must serve in home confinement, for defrauding the U.S. Social Security Administration.

According to court documents and statements made in court, GARCIA received Social Security disability payments beginning in January 2002 and continuing through September 2008, for documented medical conditions.  However, GARCIA intentionally failed to report to the Social Security Administration (SSA) his receipt of unearned income in the form of Travelers Indemnity Company workers compensation payments, which reporting is required for Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients.
           
GARCIA received $22,976.52 in workers compensation benefits between March 2002 and November 2005.  As a result of GARCIA’s failure to report his receipt of these workers compensation benefits and other resources to the SSA, GARCIA received approximately $11,711 more in SSA benefits than he was entitled.
           
Today, Judge Bryant ordered GARCIA to pay restitution in the amount of $11,711 to the government.
           
GARCIA is a pastor at the Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal El Rapto Church in Hartford.
           
On August 26, 2011, GARCIA pleaded guilty to one count of Social Security fraud.
           
This matter was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov

 

 

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