A Kent man and woman were arrested Friday for investigation of Social Security fraud and theft of government funds as part of a bust of nine people in Western Washington, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Ronnie George, 50, and Nancy Stone, 45, of Kent, face multiple counts of Social Security fraud and theft of government funds, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office media release.
According to the indictment, George in 1990 applied for SSI disability indicating he was severely disabled. He filed paperwork claiming he could not read or write, feed or clean himself or drive a car. He was granted disability payments in 1991, collecting more than $139,000.
George and Stone continued to claim that George was disabled at various reviews. Stone claimed payments from the state as his caregiver totaling more than $109,000. In fact, during that time George allegedly was not disabled, but was selling cars and RVs.
“These Social Security dollars provide a critical safety net for those who really need the assistance,” said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. “This kind of fraud tears at that safety net and betrays taxpayers who expect their hard earned dollars to go to the truly needy.”
According to the indictments, the defendants used a variety of schemes to manipulate the Social Security disability program, which is known as Supplemental Security Income. The scheme involved faking disabilities at interviews, misrepresentations about work history and assets, and the use of multiple social security numbers and numerous drivers licenses.
The others arrested are from Mill Creek and Renton. In each case, the people arrested claimed mental impairments prohibited them from working, when in fact they were reportedly working in various car sales businesses.
The cases are being investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General with assistance from the Washington State Patrol, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Washington State Department of Licensing Fraud Investigation Unit.
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