A Brooksville woman admitted to defrauding state and federal assistance programs, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Patty Jo Ruf, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of SSI fraud in federal court Thursday.
Ruf admitted to concealing her true living arrangement from federal authorities for several years to collect SSI and Medicaid benefits for her children. According to the plea agreement, Ruf repeatedly told agents with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that she had separated from her husband and was not sharing living expenses. In reality, Ruf lived with her husband and received financial support from him.
The fraud spanned from November 1999 until December 2010. Had SSA agents been aware of the true living arrangement, the eligibility of Ruf’s children would have been greatly reduced.
SSI is an income assistance program designed to provide financial assistance to elderly and disabled individuals who meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Kentuckians who are eligible for SSI also qualify for benefits under the Medicaid Program.
Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Guy P. Fallen, Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, jointly announced the guilty plea.
The investigation was conducted by the SSA, Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Nasson represents the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this case.
Sentencing for the defendant is scheduled for September 19, 2013. Supplemental Security Income fraud carries a maximum of five years in prison. However, the court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statutes before imposing a sentence.
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Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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