raleigh man sentenced for theft of government property
GREENVILLE - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court yesterday Senior United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard sentenced ROBERT BURRELL, JR., 61, to 12 months and one day imprisonment followed by three years supervised release.
On September 16, 2011, a Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment. On December 5, 2011, BURRELL pled guilty to theft of government property, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641. In accordance with the Plea Agreement, the Court ordered restitution of $336,328.00 to be made to the Social Security Administration.
According to the investigation, BURRELL converted for his own use approximately $336,328.00 in Social Security Administration benefits. In April, 1990, BURRELL was awarded Social Security benefits. Although the original application for benefits clearly explained BURRELL’s reporting responsibility regarding work (wage or self-employment), he failed to inform the Social Security Administration (SSA) that he was working as a self-employed truck driver and owned his own business since at least 1985.
Additionally, in his continuing disability review dated January 15, 2001, BURRELL failed to notify SSA of his cleaning business, Service One Janitorial, which started in 1991.
Investigation furthered showed that from 1995 to October, 2010, he operated Burrell Trucking/Burrell Transportation, in which he made all managerial decisions for the business, handled the payroll, and supervised the employees.
According Social Security Administration (SSA) policies, all disability recipients seeking disability payments are advised of their requirement to report any changes in their disability, including any change in their medical condition and ability to work, and to report any employment or self-employment to SSA.
Investigation of this case was conducted by the Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Felice McConnell Corpening is serving as prosecutor for the government.
