Appleton Man Jailed for $73,500 Social Security Fraud

John P. Fischer, a 63-year-old resident of Appleton, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for defrauding the Social Security Administration of over $73,500 in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

Fischer stood before Senior U.S. District Judge William C. Griesbach on November 22, 2021, where he was handed a sentence that included three years of supervised release following his guilty plea to SSI Fraud, as outlined under Title 42, United States Code, Section 1383a(a)(3)(A).

Between 2009 and 2017, Fischer deceitfully secured more than $73,500 in federal and state SSI benefits by hiding substantial assets from the SSA. These assets included bank accounts, investment accounts, and vehicles, all of which exceeded the allowable $2,000 resource limit for SSI recipients.

One notable asset was a Roth IRA valued at over $42,000, which Fischer concealed and cashed out. Additionally, he spent over $48,000 on two GMC Acadia SUVs without notifying the SSA. To mask his assets, Fischer created a facade of two different ‘churches,’ using them as a front to hide his wealth.

Judge Griesbach denied Fischer’s request for probation, emphasizing that the defendant’s long-standing criminal conduct warranted significant punishment for the sake of deterrence and public confidence in social-safety-net programs. The court also ordered full restitution for the crime.

Acting U.S. Attorney Richard G. Frohling highlighted the importance of SSI benefits, stating that those who lie to obtain such benefits harm taxpayers and undermine program integrity. Andrew Boockmeier, Special Agent in Charge at the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General in Chicago, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to protecting benefits from fraud and misuse.

The investigation into Fischer’s fraud was conducted by the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General in Milwaukee, while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy W. Funnell and Kelly B. Watzka handled the prosecution.