New Hampshire Man Sentenced to Three Years of Probation for Social Security Fraud

Portland, Maine:  United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced that James Robinson, 60, of Concord, New Hampshire, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Senior Judge George Z. Singal to three years of probation for Social Security fraud. Robinson was also ordered to pay $45,473 in restitution to the Social Security Administration (SSA). As a condition of probation, Robinson is required to sell property that he owns in Cornish, Maine, with the proceeds to go toward restitution.  On March 27, Robinson was found guilty following a two-day jury trial.

Evidence at trial revealed that Robinson received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, which are paid to people with limited income who are blind, disabled or elderly. Between 2008 and 2013, Robinson falsely represented to the SSA that he was living alone in Cornish, and was not receiving help or money from any person. In fact, he was living in Concord with his wife who was providing him with financial assistance. Had Robinson been truthful, he would have been ineligible for SSI benefits. In 2015, Robinson also gave false statements to an SSA Special Agent investigating the matter.

The investigation was conducted by the SSA, Office of the Inspector General, and the Maine Department of Health & Human Services, Fraud Investigation & Recovery Unit.