PITTSBURGH, Pa. – In a stunning revelation of government fraud, 68-year-old Tarance Benjamin Foster from Blairsville has pleaded guilty to siphoning off over $34,000 in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, according to Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Foster, who stood before Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti, admitted to charges of SSI fraud and theft of government property. The defendant’s deceitful scheme involved misrepresenting his income while applying for SSI through the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Records show Foster worked from January 2020 to June 2025, raking in wages from nine different employers. However, he failed to inform the SSA of this employment, which rendered him ineligible for the SSI benefits he received. The staggering amount stolen totals over $34,000.
Judge Conti has set January 21, 2026, as the date for sentencing. Foster faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or both, depending on his prior criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan J. McKenna is handling the prosecution of this case. The investigation leading to Foster’s downfall was conducted by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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