Wilkinsburg Man Sentenced for Converting Social Security Benefits and Lying About It

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to three years and six months of probation, with 10 months to be served on home confinement with electronic monitoring, and restitution in the amount of $103,415.00 on his conviction of theft of government property and false statement to the government, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Robert J. Harris, Jr., 70, of Wilkinsburg, PA.

According to the information presented to the court, Harris converted to his own use $103,415.00 in Social Security benefits and Economic Stimulus money being paid to a fictitious person. He also lied to an employee of the Social Security Administration to make it appear that the fictitious claimant receiving benefits was still alive.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Brady commended the U.S. Social Security Administration-Office of Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Robert J. Harris, Jr.

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