Parma man sentenced to more than two years in prison for making false statements in order to collect $47,000 in Social Security funds

A Parma man was sentenced to more than two years in prison for making false statements in order to collect $47,000 in Social Security funds.

David Fievet, 53, was sentenced to 28 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Benita Pearson after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States, theft of government property, Social Security fraud and obstruction of justice.

His wife, Gerolyn Fievet, 54, was sentenced to five years of probation. She previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States.

The Fievets conspired to wrongfully receive 88 monthly Supplemental Security Income checks between January 2010 and April 2017, totaling $47,556, for the benefit of the couple’s disabled son.  In order to obtain more benefits than they were legally entitled, the Fievets falsely reported David was not living in the family home when, in fact, he was. Fievet was working as a firefighter at the time, according to court documents.

Special Agent Kelly Clark from the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Payum Doroodian prosecuted the case.