Man accused of Social Security fraud

A federal grand jury in Bowling Green has charged a Taylor County man with defrauding the Social Security Administration of more than $110,000.

According to a news release from the United States Attorney’s office, the man allegedly failed to report to the Social Security Administration that his mother had died and he continued to receive her survivor benefits for 10 years.

George B. Roberts, 69, was charged with theft of United States’ funds and Social Security Administration payee fraud.

The indictment alleges that between June 2000 and August 2010, Roberts accepted survivor insurance benefits valued at about $110,148 that had been paid to his deceased mother’s checking account.

The indictment also alleges that Roberts failed to tell the Social Security Administration that his mother, who was a beneficiary, had died, which would have stopped the payments.

If convicted, Roberts could be sentenced to as much as 15 years in prison with three years’ supervised release and be ordered to pay a $500,000 fine and return the $110,148.

Roberts is scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 30, in United States District Court in Bowling Green.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James H. Barr and was investigated by the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General.