ABINGDON, VIRGINIA -- A 71-year-old Bristol, Va. man who pled guilty in September 2011 to the theft of Social Security Administration benefits and a series of false statements he made in an attempt to hide his alleged thefts, was sentenced today in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Abingdon.

This afternoon, David Ross, 71, who previously pled guilty to one count of making false statements and six counts of theft of government property, was sentenced to 24 months of federal incarceration and three years of supervised release thereafter. The defendant was also ordered to pay $318,492 in restitution.

“For 40 years, Mr. Ross perpetuated a scheme to falsely obtain social security benefits intended for his deceased mother," United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy said today. “He lied repeatedly to the Social Security Administration and investigators about his mother's passing, thereby cheating the government out of almost $400,000. When people like Mr. Ross wrongfully obtain Social Security or other government benefits, we will hold them accountable. The sentence imposed today demonstrates our commitment to protecting the integrity of the social security system, on which many Americans rely.”

Ross has admitted that he stole and knowingly converted to his use and the use of another, Social Security Benefits paid for the benefit of his mother, Sally Brodsky, who had died in 1971. In all, Ross is charged with stealing $318,492 in Social Security Administration benefits intended for his deceased mother.

In addition, Ross admitted that he made false statements to officials with the Social Security Administration regarding the timing of the death of his mother. Specifically, on December 1, 2010, Ross told officials with the Social Security Administration that his mother was not available for an interview because she had traveled out-of-state to visit family. On December 7, 2010 and again on February 23, 2011, Ross contacted the Social Security Administration and informed them that his mother had died while visiting family in New Jersey on December 5, 2010. All of the above statements were made by Ross with the knowledge that his mother had died in 1971.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Social Security Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Bockhorst is prosecuting the case for the United States.

 

 

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