Former Owner of Comfort Care Providers, LLC, Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud

Contact Person: Jamie Lea Schoen (864) 282-2100

Greenville, South Carolina ---- Acting United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Takenya Gallman Rookard, a/k/a “Takenya Natori Gallman,” age 34, of Greenville, South Carolina has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Anderson, South Carolina to Theft of Government Funds, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 641.  United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain of Anderson accepted the guilty plea and will impose sentence after he has reviewed the presentence report which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Takenya Rookard lied to an Administrative Law Judge when seeking Social Security disability benefits.  Ms. Rookard failed to disclose her work as a co-owner of Comfort Care Providers, LLC, both while seeking and later receiving benefits. 

Acting United States Attorney Drake stated the maximum penalty for Theft of Government Funds is imprisonment for 10 years and/or a fine of $250,000.

The case was investigated by agents of the Social Security Office of Inspector General.  Assistant United States Attorney Jamie Lea Schoen of the Greenville office is prosecuting the case.

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