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Crime TRACKER |
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June 2009
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St. Louis, MO: Robert Allen Barnes, Sr., pleaded guilty to social security fraud for collecting disability benefits while earning income from self employment, Acting United States Attorney Michael W. Reap announced today. Barnes began to receive Social Security disability benefits in 1990 after claiming that his back was severely injured at work. Beginning in late 2001 and early 2002, Barnes participated in running a business known as Spraymasters Powerwashing out of his residence on South Cardinal Lane, St. Charles, MO. The business offered restoration of decks, fences, playground equipment, etc. Barnes continued working in this business until October 2008 and earned substantial income from it during that time. However, he failed to accurately report to the Social Security Administration the number of hours he was working and how much he was making . Barnes had a family member file for the business license using a Social Security number as the Employer Identification Number of the business. In addition, Barnes had accounts at several banks. One account was used strictly for the deposit of his Social Security disability checks, but other banks and accounts were used for the business income. The total amount improperly paid to Barnes is $133,278. Barnes, 46, pleaded guilty to one felony count of social security fraud today before United States District Judge Charles A. Shaw. He now faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000, when he is sentenced on August 11, 2009. 2 CommentsLeave a comment |
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It's about time we started tracking these frauds. I see them everyday. Driving an Escalade with a handicap tag swinging in the windshield, pulling into Home Depot to load up for a day's work. It makes me absolutely want to vomit!
Hope he gets a lot of jail time. He was doing nothing but stealing from legitimate SS recipients who rely on it just to exist. No wonder the fund is going broke!