Tag: Social Security

State Unit Cites $2.5M of Improper Disability Claims

The West Virginia Attorney General’s Office says its unit targeting Social Security disability fraud helped save $2.5 million in improper claims during its first year.

Two investigators and an analyst have been working with the Social Security Administration, its inspector general’s office and the state’s Disability Determination Section to review suspicious or questionable disability claims.

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has said he wants authority from the Legislature to investigate fraud in the Medicaid program.

In October, he said the disability fraud unit began reviewing past claims and payments for fraud and possible referral to county and federal prosecutors.

Candidate for McDowell Sheriff Arrested on Fraud Charges

A man running for sheriff in McDowell County has been charged with using a Social Security debit card and a state benefits debit card belonging to another person.

A report from the McDowell County Sheriff’s Department said 61-year-old Quinton L. Dawson of Jolo was arrested Friday and charged with fraudulent use of access device, obtaining money under false pretenses and felony conspiracy.

While deputies were investigating fraudulent use of benefits debit cards, Dawson allegedly entered a convenience store and used the two cards, taking a total of $700. The Bluefield Daily Telegraph reports Dawson was allegedly in possession of 13 other debit cards belonging to other people.

McDowell County clerk’s office records show Dawson is a candidate for sheriff. He was arraigned before Magistrate Steve L. Cox.

Nitro Women Sentenced After Defrauding Social Security

A Nitro woman has been sentenced after federal authorities say she defrauded Social Security by collecting benefits long after her husband had died.

In a news release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office says 65-year-old Linda Alford was sentenced Wednesday to five years of probation and was order to pay over $130,000 in restitution.

Officials say Alford previously pleaded guilty to theft of government property last September.

Authorities say Alford was receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration after her husband died in 1990. She remarried in 1997, but didn’t report a change in marital status and continued to collect benefits.

Officials say she collected more than $130,000 illegally in survivor benefits from 1997 through 2014.

W.Va. Woman Accused of Stealing U.S. Benefits

  A St. Albans woman has been accused of stealing more than $80,000 in Social Security benefits.

Prosecutors say a federal grand jury in Charleston indicted 64-year-old Regina Ancion on one count of theft of government money.

The indictment accuses Ancion of stealing checks made out to a deceased relative between November 2006 and November 2013.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine upon conviction. She also could be ordered to pay restitution.

It wasn’t immediately known whether Ancion has an attorney. She doesn’t have a listed telephone number.

Exit mobile version