Harrisburg Man Charged With Social Security Fraud

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Brian J. Hymon, age 35, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was indicted yesterday and charged with social security fraud.

     According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, Hymon, as Representative Payee, repeatedly lied on Social Security Supplemental Security Income applications by failing to disclose household income and, which if considered would have made the recipient ineligible for such benefits.  The benefits were paid for over nine years, between December 2004 and December 2014, totaling $58,299.35.  If convicted, Hymon faces a term of imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of $250,000.

     This case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom.

     Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

     A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

     Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.