Man who posed as dead man convicted of Social Security disability fraud
Posted on:8/31/2009
Written By: Chris Robideaux
| James William Barber was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Dennis Blackmon in Coweta Judicial Circuit Superior Court in Carrollton to one year of imprisonment for identity fraud. |
James William Barber was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Dennis Blackmon in Coweta Judicial Circuit Superior Court in Carrollton to one year of imprisonment for identity fraud. Barber, 73, pleaded guilty to using the identity of Roy Gentry in order to file for Social Security Disability Benefits, according to Alicia Saile, public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration. He was sentenced on Aug. 5.
Barber visited the Carrollton Social Security office in January 2009 to apply for disability benefits, alleging he had terminal cancer, according to Saile. He presented a birth certificate, a Social Security card and a commercial Alabama driver's license in Roy Gentry's name. During the interview, a Social Security employee discovered a Roy Gentry had previously received benefits until his death in February 2000.
Dana McAleer, district manager of the Carrollton Social Security office, referred the fraud allegation to the Office of Inspector General. During the joint investigation led by the Office of Inspector General and Georgia Bureau of Investigation, it was discovered Barber had a previous arrest for using Roy Gentry's identity.
Barber confessed to using Gentry's identity for work purposes and attempting to acquire benefits from the Social Security Administration using a false identity Saile said.
This comes as a tsunami of disability claims threatens to sink the entire Social Security system. Disability claims are up 30% this year next to 2008.
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Source: The Times-Herald