A federal investigation has revealed that a former lead transportation security officer with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been sentenced to federal prison for stealing from the federal government’s workers compensation program.
Florence, South Carolina — Emmanuel Papas, 52, of Myrtle Beach, was sentenced to one year and one day of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing over $148,000 from the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers Compensation Program.
Papas, who served with the TSA at the Newark International Liberty Airport, was injured on the job in 2004 and began receiving federal worker’s compensation benefits. However, evidence presented in court established that Papas was improperly receiving benefits because he was actively working at granite shops in the Myrtle Beach area from March 2009 through February 2020.
A subsequent federal investigation by TSA agents revealed that Papas was disguising his income by having his earnings either paid in cash or with checks made payable in his family members’ names. Papas, who ultimately confessed, also completed at least eight federal forms attesting that he had no outside income and was, thus, eligible to continue to receive his benefits.
The total loss to the federal government was just under $148,000. United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Papas, who will be required to pay restitution of $148,982.42.
The matter was investigated by TSA-Investigations, Atlanta Field Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Labor. Assistant United States Attorney Derek A. Shoemake prosecuted the case.
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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