Orlando Disability Benefits Recipient Convicted Of Defrauding Social Security Administration

Orlando, FL – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury yesterday found Craig DeMange (62, Oviedo) guilty of one count of knowingly and willfully making a false statement to a federal agency. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 23, 2017.

DeMange was indicted on June 15, 2016.

According to evidence presented at trial, DeMange received Social Security disability benefits for nearly two decades, beginning in 1995. In July 2013, the Social Security Administration requested information about his work and earnings history to assess his continued eligibility for disability benefits. At that time, DeMange knowingly and willfully provided false and fraudulent information about his current work status.  Specifically, DeMange stated that he had not worked since 1996, when in fact he had been running a business since 2010 or 2011.

This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily C. L. Chang.