Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Pennsylvania Man Charged with Supplemental Security Income Fraud

August 08, 2018

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

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges relating to Social Security fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The five-count indictment names Gerald Edward Black, age 48, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, Black received and converted approximately $19,743.00 in Supplemental Security Income benefits to which he knew he was not entitled. Additionally, Black is charged with concealing and failing to disclose changes to his minor child’s living arrangements with the intent to deceive the Social Security Administration as well as knowingly and willfully making a false statement material to his minor child’s right to receive Supplemental Security Income benefits.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of no more than 20 years in prison, a fine of no more than $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.<p align="left"> From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Pennsylvania:  </p>

PITTSBURGH, PA – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges relating to Social Security fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The five-count indictment names Gerald Edward Black, age 48, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, Black received and converted approximately $19,743.00 in Supplemental Security Income benefits to which he knew he was not entitled. Additionally, Black is charged with concealing and failing to disclose changes to his minor child’s living arrangements with the intent to deceive the Social Security Administration as well as knowingly and willfully making a false statement material to his minor child’s right to receive Supplemental Security Income benefits.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of no more than 20 years in prison, a fine of no more than $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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

Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov