Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to $207,000 Social Security Fraud

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania:

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A Cambria County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conversion of government funds, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Bernard M. Dospoy, 66, of Northern Cambria, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in or around June 2005, to in or around October 2015, Dospoy did receive and convert falsely to his own use, a total of $207,592, which represents 176 separate Social Security Administration benefit payments made to him to which he was not entitled. He also agreed to pay restitution of $207,592 pursuant to a related Civil Settlement Agreement entered into by him and the United States.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for August 3, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government and Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin J. Callahan is litigating the case on behalf of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Section of the United States Attorney’s Office.

The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Dospoy.

 

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A Cambria County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of conversion of government funds, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Bernard M. Dospoy, 66, of Northern Cambria, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from in or around June 2005, to in or around October 2015, Dospoy did receive and convert falsely to his own use, a total of $207,592, which represents 176 separate Social Security Administration benefit payments made to him to which he was not entitled. He also agreed to pay restitution of $207,592 pursuant to a related Civil Settlement Agreement entered into by him and the United States.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for August 3, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government and Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin J. Callahan is litigating the case on behalf of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Section of the United States Attorney’s Office.

The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Dospoy.