Jorge Ortiz, SSI Fraud, New York 2021

ALBANY, NEW YORK – A local man’s scheme to swindle the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program has come to an end, with a guilty plea in federal court. Jorge Ortiz, Jr., 60, of Albany, admitted to concealing his resources from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to defraud the SSI program.

According to the plea agreement, Ortiz acted as a representative payee for a family member and concealed assets and resources from the SSA between November 2008 and February 2016. This deception allowed Ortiz to deceive the SSA into making benefit payments to the family member, who was otherwise ineligible to receive SSI benefit payments.

SSI is a needs-based program available to elderly, blind, and disabled individuals. It provides money to pay for basic living expenses. Ortiz’s actions not only cheated the SSI program out of funds but also denied the program’s intended beneficiaries the support they needed.

As a result of his conviction, Ortiz faces up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. Sentencing is scheduled for October 12, 2021 before Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy.

This case was investigated by the SSA Office of the Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle.

The investigation and prosecution of Ortiz’s scheme serve as a reminder that the SSA and its Office of the Inspector General are committed to rooting out and prosecuting individuals who attempt to defraud the SSI program.

Ortiz’s actions have consequences not only for himself but also for the community. His scheme has undermined the trust in the SSI program and the social safety net it provides to those in need.

The guilty plea in this case highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation in preventing and detecting SSI fraud. It also underscores the commitment of the SSA and its partners to protecting the integrity of the SSI program and ensuring that those who are eligible receive the support they deserve.

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