Lyman Man Sentenced to Over a Year for Social Security Fraud

Contact: Halsey B. Frank
Assistant United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257

Portland, Maine:  United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced that Mark J. LaPierre, 55, of Lyman, Maine, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge Jon D. Levy to one year and one day in prison and two years of supervised release for social security fraud.  He was also ordered to pay $38,212 in restitution.  LaPierre pleaded guilty on April 22, 2015.

According to court documents, after LaPierre’s father’s death, LaPierre’s mother received Social Security survivor benefits.  When LaPierre’s mother died in November of 2010, those survivor’s benefits continued to be deposited into LaPierre’s and his mother’s joint account at Biddeford Savings Bank.  LaPierre did not notify the Social Security Administration of his mother’s death or that survivor benefits continued to be deposited into the joint account.  LaPierre used the benefits to pay his own personal bills and expenses.  On April 4, 2014, the Social Security Tele-Service Center in Boston, Massachusetts received an anonymous tip about the fraud and terminated the survivor benefits.
     
In pronouncing sentence, Judge Levy observed that LaPierre’s crime was a serious offense that continued for 3½ years and netted significant money.  It was a negative influence on others.  A sentence of imprisonment was necessary to deter him and others in the public who might be similarly inclined.
     
The case was investigated by the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General.