An Ogallala man has been given 5 years of probation and ordered to pay a large sum of restitution in what the Nebraska U.S. Attorney’s Office is called a Social Security Fraud case.
U.S. Attorney Deb Gilg’s office says 57 year old Hap Staman was sentenced this week in U.S. District Court to serve 5 years of probation for Social Security Fraud, and ordered to make restitution to the Social Security Administration in the amount of $56,995.
Officials says Staman applied for Social Security Disability benefits in 1997, following injuries incurred form a work-site accident when a vehicle moved forward in a mechanic’s shop, pinning his body between the vehicle and a workbench. That application advised him of his duty to report work activity. But between July 2004 and August 2005, he reportedly failed to report to the SSA that he worked as an accountant, thereby accruing $12,760 in benefits to which he was not entitled.
Staman discontinued work as an accountant and was, for a second time, legitimately receiving Social Security Disability benefits. However, his monthly benefit was reduced in order for Social Security to recoup earlier overpayment. Between November 2007 and March 2011, however, he again failed to report to SSA that he worked as a driver for “Negotiable Affections”, a company owned and run by him and his wife, thereby accruing more than $48,000 in benefits to which he was not entitled. That amount made his overpayment worth nearly $61,000.
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