KANSAS CITY, MO – A civil engineer with the Federal Aviation Administration is facing federal prison time after admitting to a cold-hearted scheme to steal his deceased mother’s Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits. Afshin Setoodeh, 62, of Blue Springs, Missouri, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud this week, a crime that spanned years and involved brazen deception.
According to court documents, Setoodeh was appointed representative payee for his mother’s SSDI benefits in 2018, tasked with ensuring the funds were used for her care. But when his mother returned to her native Iran in 2019, Setoodeh didn’t report the change to the Social Security Administration (SSA). He didn’t report anything when she died in 2022, either. He simply kept cashing the checks.
The scheme continued unabated, with Setoodeh falsely assuring the SSA his mother was still alive and the benefits were being used appropriately. From 2019 through 2024, he illegally withdrew approximately $55,000 from his mother’s checking account. The callousness didn’t end there; Setoodeh also used his mother’s identity to open several credit cards, both before and after her death, further exploiting her information for personal gain.
The Department of Justice isn’t shy about the potential consequences. Setoodeh now faces up to 20 years in federal prison without parole – the maximum sentence allowed under federal statutes for mail fraud. However, the final sentence will be determined by the court, considering advisory sentencing guidelines and other factors. A presentence investigation is underway, conducted by the United States Probation Office, to provide the court with a comprehensive assessment of Setoodeh’s background and the severity of his actions.
The investigation, a joint effort by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, exposed a betrayal of trust and a flagrant disregard for the law. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda K. Hanson is prosecuting the case, aiming to deliver justice for the exploitation of a vulnerable individual and the abuse of a federal benefits system.
This case serves as a stark reminder that even those in positions of responsibility – like a federal employee – are not above the law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing hearing when it is scheduled. Setoodeh’s actions are a stain on the FAA and a clear example of how far some will go to line their pockets, even at the expense of their own family.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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