Milton man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Receiving More than $300,000 in Social Security Payments

LAFAYETTE, La: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Randy P. Courville, 53, of Milton, La., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote to defrauding $324,818 from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

According to court documents, Courville received Social Security disability payments from early 1995 until March 2012 even though he continuously worked selfemployed as a painter. He owned his own business called R.T’s painting, which was later changed to Affordable Painting. Courville’s wife and three children also received benefits during this time. The SSA informed Courville after he started receiving benefits that should he be able to work or had completed any work that he, Courville, was required to notify their office. At no time between 1995 and 2012 did Courville notify SSA that he was able to or had completed any work.

Courville faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both, and three years of supervised release for the count of theft of government money. He is required to pay $324,818 in restitution. Courville is scheduled to appear June 21, 2013 for sentencing in U.S. District Court in Lafayette.

“Courville worked at his private business while taking money that was meant for those who cannot work,” Finley said. “This case should serve as a warning to anyone who lies in order to receive benefits that we do not take the defrauding of SSA lightly.”

The Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Uebinger is prosecuting the case.