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Fugitive Lawyer Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison
A former fugitive and social security disability lawyer, Eric Christopher Conn, 58, of Pikeville, Kentucky, has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for his role in the largest Social Security fraud scheme in history. The scheme, which defrauded the Social Security Administration (SSA) of more than $550 million, was orchestrated by Conn, who used his position as a lawyer to victimize those who are most vulnerable.
Conn was previously sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the scheme, but was also convicted of conspiracy to escape, conspiracy to retaliate against an informant, and paying illegal gratuities to a Social Security Administrative Law Judge. Today’s sentencing brings the total to 27 years, with Conn ordered to pay $72,574,609 in restitution.
According to Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski, Conn’s actions were a clear attempt to escape justice, but ultimately failed. ‘After orchestrating a massive $550 million social security fraud, Eric Conn tried to escape justice by fleeing to Honduras,’ Benczkowski said. ‘But thanks to the tremendous work of U.S. law enforcement, not only was Conn’s fraud discovered and prosecuted, he was brought back to the United States to answer for his crimes.’
Conn’s sentencing is a significant victory for law enforcement, who worked tirelessly to bring the former lawyer to justice. ‘Mr. Conn directed a scheme that defrauded millions of dollars from Social Security and affected many people in Kentucky and West Virginia,’ said SSA-OIG Special Agent in Charge Michael McGill. ‘Despite his best efforts to escape justice for his actions, Mr. Conn has finally been held accountable with today’s significant sentencing.’
The case is a stark reminder of the importance of protecting taxpayer-funded programs from those who seek to exploit them. ‘Threat from American taxpayers in any capacity is a serious crime,’ said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner. ‘Eric Conn’s actions were particularly egregious, as he victimized those who are most vulnerable and then made a cowardly attempt to escape punishment.’
Conn’s sentencing brings closure to the promise made by the FBI that they would not rest until he was held accountable for the lives he devastated and the trust he betrayed. ‘Conn’s sentencing brings closure to the promise the FBI made that we would not rest until Conn was held accountable for the lives he devastated and the trust he betrayed,’ said FBI Special Agent in Charge Amy S. Hess.
The case was investigated by the SSA-OIG, FBI, IRS-CI, and HHS-OIG, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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