Indiana, Pa., Man Charged with Defrauding Social Security

PITTSBURGH – An Indiana County resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of theft of government property, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment named Carmen Donofrio, 62, of Indiana, PA.

According to the indictment, from in and around July 2013, through in and around May 2015, Donofrio received approximately $16,577 in Supplemental Security Income to which he was not entitled because he had concealed a retirement account from the Social Security Administration.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.