David Kuenstner, 47, and Roxanne Russ, 46, are accused of running a calculated scam to steal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits meant for Kuenstner’s son. A federal grand jury in Lexington, Kentucky, indicted the pair on one count of conspiring to defraud the United States, one count of theft of public funds, and three counts of making false statements to the Social Security Administration (SSA). The indictment alleges they repeatedly lied about the child’s living situation to keep collecting benefits — then used the money to fund their own lives.
Robert Olin, 53, faces his own charges after allegedly hiding that he was receiving payments from his deceased mother’s estate. By concealing that income, Olin continued collecting Supplemental Security Disability Income to which he was no longer entitled. The indictment adds that he falsely obtained Kentucky Medicaid as a result. He’s charged with one count of theft of public funds, one count of SSA fraud, and one count of falsifying and concealing a material fact in connection with a health care benefit program.
Tabitha Chapman, 35, is also named in a separate indictment for exploiting her status as a parent to steal from the system. Authorities say she lied about custody and financial support for her minor child to collect SSA Survivor’s Representative Payments. She now faces one count of theft of public funds and one count of SSA fraud.
Federal prosecutors say the scheme unfolded over months, if not years, with each defendant actively deceiving the SSA to line their pockets. The indictments were announced jointly by Robert M. Duncan, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Margaret Moore-Jackson, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General, Atlanta Field Division. The OIG led the investigation.
If convicted, Kuenstner, Russ, and Olin face up to five years in prison on the conspiracy, fraud, and false statement charges. The theft of public funds carries a steeper penalty — up to ten years per count. Chapman faces the same sentencing structure for her two charges. Court dates have not yet been scheduled.
An indictment is not a conviction. Under federal law, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The court will determine any sentence after weighing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable statutes. The case is ongoing.
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Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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