Two Charged With Stealing Social Security Income Benefits
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, March 24, 2010, that Crystal Lou Savage of Confluence, Pennsylvania, and Gary Edward Savage, Jr., of Dellslow, West Virginia, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of Theft of Government Property.
The two‑count indictment named Crystal Lou Savage, age 48, and Gary Edward Savage, Jr., age 29.
According to the indictment, from April 2004, and continuing to July 2006, Crystal Savage stole and converted to her own use $15,642 in Supplemental Social Security Income benefits paid to her as Representative Payee for Gary Edward Savage, Jr. Also, from July 2006, and continuing until May 2009, Crystal Lou Savage and Gary Edward Savage, Jr., stole and converted to their own use $21,083.75 in Supplemental Security Income benefits.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Comber, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence for Crystal Lou Savage of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. The law provides a maximum total sentence for Gary Edward Savage, Jr., of 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
The Social Security Administration, Office of 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.
