Delaware County Man Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud Charge

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Brian Gill, age 59, of Andes, New York, pled guilty on January 20, 2026 to a charge of social security fraud.  First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge, Boston/New York Field Division, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG), made the announcement.

As part of his plea, Gill admitted that between January 2021 and November 2023, while Gill was actively collecting social security disability benefits, Gill was also managing and personally engaging in physical labor for a tree services company he owned and operated.  Gill also admitted he concealed from the Social Security Administration (SSA) the fact that he was working and falsely stated on a SSA form that he had not been working.

First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “This kind of social security fraud is a serious offense that robs taxpayers of funds needed to assist those who are truly unable to work.  Thanks to the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners, people who try to game the system, like this defendant, are identified and held accountable.”

“Brian Gill chose to lie to obtain Social Security disability insurance benefits while actively working physical labor for a tree service he owned,” said Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly, SSA OIG, Boston/New York Field Division. “Social Security disability insurance benefits are reserved for individuals who are truly unable to work. When someone misrepresents their abilities to collect benefits they are not entitled to, it undermines the integrity of the program and steals from hardworking taxpayers. We will aggressively pursue those who try to cheat the American taxpayers for personal gain.”

Sentencing is scheduled for May 21, 2026 before United States Chief District Judge Brenda K. Sannes.  Gill faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.  As part of his plea, Gill agreed to pay restitution to the SSA for the funds he fraudulently collected.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, with assistance from the Offices of the New York State Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Gillis and Adrian LaRochelle are prosecuting the case.

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