Athens Man Sentenced for Theft of Government Property

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that on October 4, 2011, Allen Morse, age 62, of Athens, Georgia, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge C. Ashley Royal, in Athens, Georgia to six months imprisonment; three years of supervised release; restitution in the amount of $168,452.39 to the Social Security Administration; and a $100.00 mandatory assessment fee.

On July 6, 2011, Morse pleaded guilty to a One Count Information charging him with Theft of Government Property, in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Section 641.  Morse failed to notify the Social Security Administration of the death of his mother, Lettie Morse.  He continued to use her Social Security benefits to pay his mortgage, utilities, and other personal expenses.  From July 1997 to December 2010, Morse embezzled $170,223.40 of his deceased mother’s benefits.

“When someone steals Social Security money, they are stealing from us all”, said U.S. Attorney Michael Moore.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General.  Assistant United States Attorney Graham A. Thorpe was the prosecuting attorney.

For additional information contact Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2602.