Stafford Man Convicted of Social Security Disability Benefits Fraud

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Gennaro Mattiaccio, 55, of Stafford, was convicted today by a federal jury on charges of theft of government property, making false statements in relation to obtaining Social Security disability benefits, and concealing events affecting his right to Social Security disability benefits.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Mattiaccio received over $75,000 in Social Security disability benefits from April 2014 through September 2016, despite being gainfully self-employed during that same time period as the owner and sole proprietor of Rock Hill Honey Bee Farms, a commercial migratory beekeeping business. In support of his claim for Social Security disability benefits, Mattiaccio made multiple materially false statements under oath to an Administrative Law Judge from the Social Security Administration, and also submitted false and fraudulent documents, including a fake 2012 tax return, to the Social Security Administration.

Mattiaccio faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison when sentenced on June 16. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Michael McGill, Special Agent-in-Charge, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General; and Michael J. Missal, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, made the announcement after the verdict was accepted by U.S. District Judge Liam O’Grady. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Pedersen and Samantha Bateman prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:16-cr-215.