Kuna Man Sentenced for False Statement Involving Social Security Benefits

BOISE - Del E. Weech, 59, of Kuna, Idaho, was sentenced today in United States District Court to six months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for making false statements involving social security benefits, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced.  U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge also ordered Weech to pay $13,004 in restitution.  Weech pleaded guilty to the charge on February 9, 2015.

According to the plea agreement, Weech admitted that he signed a statement, under penalty of perjury, that his stepdaughter had not received her $14,929 benefits check from the Social Security Administration (SSA), causing the SSA to issue a partial payment in the amount of $9,838.  In fact, Weech had already cashed the check.  On two other occasions, Weech lied to the SSA, stating that he had not received his own monthly social security benefits, causing repayments to be generated.  Weech then cashed his original checks and collected the repayments.  In total, Weech stole $13,004 from the SSA.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.  The case was prosecuted by a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney as part of a partnership venture between the Social Security Administration Office of General Counsel and the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute social security fraud.