The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that Dennis Harold French, 52, of Caseyville, Illinois, pled guilty to charges that he stole disability benefits from the United States Railroad Retirement Board.
Facts revealed in Court were that, from May 2009 through June 2012, French fraudulently obtained monies belonging to the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, an agency of the United States, by concealing his employment status in order to receive occupational disability benefits. In this way, French illegally obtained over $82,000.00.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release. The district court set sentencing for Sept. 30, 2015.
The case was investigated by agents of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Liam Coonan.
If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is committing fraud against any U.S. Railroad Retirement Board program, you may report this to the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board's Office of Inspector General by calling 1.800.772.4258 or by e-mailing a complaint or information to: hotline@oig.rrb.gov
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
