Charles David Jones, Sr. Theft of Government Property, Maryland 2023

Frederick Man Sentenced to Prison for Disability Benefits Fraud

A Frederick man has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison for stealing at least $110,000 in disability benefits, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein announced today.

U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced Charles David Jones, Sr., age 58, to a year and a day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for theft of government property arising from his fraudulent receipt of disability benefits. Judge Quarles also ordered that Jones pay $110,000 in restitution.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Michael McGill of the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia Field Division.

According to his plea agreement, in March 2002, Jones filed for disability benefits with the Social Security Administration (SSA), claiming that he could no longer work and was disabled. He agreed to notify SSA if he started to work as an employee or through self-employment. However, starting sometime in July 2002, Jones began working as a cook at Lohr’s Family Restaurant in Frederick, and was later promoted to manager and head chef.

Jones never reported this work to the SSA, instead falsely claiming that he was not working and could not work. He purchased Lohr’s Family Restaurant in October 2003 and continued to manage and operate the restaurant, supervising employees, cooking, developing the menu, and running the catering side of the business.

In February 2004, Jones was awarded disability benefits by SSA, retroactively to August 2002. He continued to receive benefits until they were suspended in 2011. Jones received at least $110,000 in benefits due to his false application for benefits.

Frederick, Maryland, is home to Jones, who was born in 1965 and purchased the restaurant in 2003. The Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, Philadelphia Field Division, investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin S. Herring prosecuting the case. United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the SSA - OIG for its work in the investigation.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/frederick-man-sentenced-fraudulently-receiving-least-110000-disability-benefits