Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to Prison for Social Security Fraud and Failing to File Tax Returns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to six months in prison followed by two years of supervised release on his conviction of theft of government funds and willful failure to file tax returns, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Louis Impell, 58, of Pittsburgh, PA 15210.

According to information presented to the court, Impell filed an application for Social Security benefits falsely claiming that he was disabled and had no income. In reality, however, Impell operated a successful home improvement company and was not disabled. As a result of the fraudulent application, from August 2009 through June 2018, Impell was the recipient of $72,186.78 in Title XVI, Supplemental Security Income benefits to which he was not entitled. Additionally, for the calendar years 2015, 2016, and 2017, Impell failed to file income tax returns that would have disclosed his business income to the IRS. The tax due on his business income was $21,805.

Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

Acting United States Attorney Kaufman commended the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Impell.