Timmy S. Stephens, a resident of Villa Rica, Georgia, has been sentenced for stealing disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Over approximately two decades, Stephens claimed disability while employed at a local funeral home.
"Stephens perpetrated a two-decades long fraud on the Social Security Administration," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. "The disability program is a wage replacement program for those members of our society who cannot work due to a physical or mental health condition. Stealing benefits from the Social Security trust fund betrays the Social Security Administration and the people the program is designed to help."
Court documents reveal that Stephens began receiving disability benefits in August 2002 due to a cardiac condition. The SSA had informed him that any improvement in his condition or return to work must be reported. Despite this, Stephens started working at a funeral home in January 2003 and failed to report his employment to SSA.
To hide his earnings, Stephens arranged with his employer for his income to be reported under a relative’s social security number. When SSA discovered this scheme and questioned him about it, he submitted false reports claiming no employment since 2001. He also lied during an interview with federal agents and provided falsified timesheets.
Stephens was found guilty on October 17, 2024, after pleading guilty and has been sentenced to nine months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He must also pay a fine of $5,500 and restitution amounting to $126,560.50.
The investigation was conducted by the SSA - Office of the Inspector General and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Diane C Schulman.
For more information contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280.