Caldwell Man Pleads Guilty To Social Security Fraud

BOISE – Jose Louis Fernandez, 44, of Caldwell, Idaho, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of Social Security Fraud by Concealment of Material Facts, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Sentencing is set before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge at the federal courthouse in Boise on September 4, 2014.

According to the plea agreement, Fernandez maintained two separate identities for the purpose of working under a false name while simultaneously collecting Social Security Disability under his true name. In April of 2012, during a Title II benefit review, Fernandez falsely indicated that he had not worked since the date of his last disability decision in 2001. Contrary to this statement, Fernandez had been working at a home-building company since June 2003, and worked until May 2012. As a result of this fraud, Fernandez received SSA Disability benefits to which he was not entitled. He also received Medicare insurance benefits and benefits directed toward his children. The benefits paid as a result of Fernandez’s fraudulent actions were nearly $200,000.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General-Office of Investigations; Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Caldwell Police Department and United States Marshals Service.