Turtle Creek Man Charged With Theft Of Social Security Benefits
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, March 16, 2010, that Kenneth A. Zang of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on a charge of Theft of Government Property.
The one‑count indictment named Zang, age 59, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, from November 2004 through July 2008, Zang converted to his own use approximately $34,000.00 in Social Security retirement benefits which had been paid to an individual, identified as Mary Whetsell, after her death in October 2004.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
