Timmy S. Stephens, of Newnan, Georgia, has been sentenced to nine months in prison after defrauding the Social Security Administration (SSA) of $360,000 over a 20-year period. Stephens claimed he was unable to work due to a cardiac condition, but was secretly employed at a local funeral home.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr., Stephens began receiving disability benefits in August 2002. He was repeatedly informed by the SSA that he was obligated to report any improvement in his condition or return to work. However, just months later, in January 2003, Stephens began working at the funeral home without notifying the SSA. “Stephens perpetrated a two-decades-long fraud on the Social Security Administration,” stated Moultrie. “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.” To conceal his employment, Stephens arranged for his earnings to be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under a relative’s social security number.

The elaborate scheme allowed him to pocket substantial disability benefits while actively working, ultimately resulting in a significant loss to the Social Security trust fund.