New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty for Theft of Social Security Disability Funds

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana:

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ELIJAH CHARLES SORINA (“SORINA”), age 31, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on November 14, 2019 to Theft of Government Funds, announced United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser.

According to court records, SORINA continued to receive Social Security Administration (“SSA”) disability benefits after he claimed he was disabled and unable to work.  Federal special agents determined SORINA began working for a local transportation company as a school bus driver in 2014 after he obtained a commercial driver’s license.  SSA determined that from May 2014 until August 2016, SORINA received benefits of $19,897.00 to which he was not entitled because he concealed his employment from the SSA. 

SORINA will be sentenced on February 20, 2020, by Chief United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown.  He faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $250,000.00 fine.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General and the Louisiana State Police.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ELIJAH CHARLES SORINA (“SORINA”), age 31, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on November 14, 2019 to Theft of Government Funds, announced United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser.

According to court records, SORINA continued to receive Social Security Administration (“SSA”) disability benefits after he claimed he was disabled and unable to work.  Federal special agents determined SORINA began working for a local transportation company as a school bus driver in 2014 after he obtained a commercial driver’s license.  SSA determined that from May 2014 until August 2016, SORINA received benefits of $19,897.00 to which he was not entitled because he concealed his employment from the SSA. 

SORINA will be sentenced on February 20, 2020, by Chief United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown.  He faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $250,000.00 fine.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General and the Louisiana State Police.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit.