Related Federal Cases
- David B. Watson Sr. Pleads Guilty to VA Benefits Fraud · Maine
- Lisa-Marie Watson Pleads Guilty to VA Benefits Fraud · Maine
- Election Fraud Crackdown: Feds Deploy Legal Team for Nov. 8 · District of Columbia
- Maryanne Stephens Admits to Stealing $126K in Dead Mother-in-Law’s Benefits · Pennsylvania
- Gorham Therapist Paulo Braga Pleads Guilty to MaineCare Fraud · Maine
Winslow Man Sentenced for Benefits Fraud
BANGOR, Maine – A local man has been sentenced for bilking the government out of nearly $120,000 in benefits.
Robert Curtis, 63, of Winslow, was sentenced to three years of probation, including six months of home confinement, by U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen.
Curtis was found to have worked as a medication deliverer while receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, MaineCare coverage, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
He failed to report his work activity and income to the Social Security Administration and the Maine Department of Health & Human Services, despite periodic reminders that he was required to do so. This resulted in him improperly receiving over $92,000 in SSDI benefits, almost $12,000 in SNAP benefits, and over $13,000 in MaineCare benefits.
Curtis also denied any work activity to the SSA in a continuing disability review in 2013, and to ME/DHHS in annual reviews from 2011 to 2017, because he knew it could affect his eligibility for benefits.
He was awarded $21,472.42 in a civil suit for lost wages, alleging that he should have been classified as an employee instead of an independent contractor.
Curtis was ordered to pay $117,379.25 in restitution to the Social Security Administration and the Maine Department of Health & Human Services.
The case was investigated by the SSA’s Office of the Inspector General and the Maine Department of Health & Human Services.
Curtis pleaded guilty on March 31, 2021, and was sentenced on this case today.
Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
