New Bethlehem Man Indicted on Charges Relating to Social Security Fraud

PITTSBURGH - A resident of New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges relating to Social Security fraud, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The three-count indictment named David Lee Claypool, 48, of New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, between January 2012 and January 2015, Claypool, having filed an application for Social Security disability insurance benefits on behalf of a minor child, received and converted $16,474.00 in benefits to his own use. Additionally, on March 11, 2013, and again on March 15, 2014, Claypool falsely represented on Social Security Administration Representative Payee Reports that the benefits he received on behalf of the minor child were spent on behalf of the minor child, when in fact the benefits were converted to Claypool’s own use.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of $750,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Charles A. Eberle is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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

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