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PORTLAND (AP) — An 80-year-old Portland man accused of collecting more than $87,000 in federal disability payments in the name of his dead brother has been charged with Social Security fraud.
Lafayette F. Keaton appeared Monday in federal court and pleaded not guilty to felony counts of Social Security fraud and theft of government funds. He was released pending trial set for May 11.
Prosecutors contend that in 1997, using his brother Jerome's name and Social Security number, Lafayette Keaton applied for Supplemental Security Income payments. Apparently unaware that Jerome Keaton died in 1989 in Michigan, the Social Security Administration has been paying out about $6,600 a year since then.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen Cooper said Lafayette Keaton has been collecting his own Social Security retirement payments during those 13 years. The public defender assigned to represent Keaton, Harold DuCloux III, declined comment.
In addition to administering retiree benefits for workers 62 and older, Social Security runs the SSI program, which is intended as a lifeline of last resort for the aged and disabled whose income and resources are below certain minimal levels.
Authorities say Keaton might still be receiving those extra checks if not for an unrelated election fraud inquiry in Marion County.
Following an Oregon attorney general's office investigation, Keaton was charged Feb. 10 in Marion County Circuit Court with two counts of making false statements under election laws.
Cooper says Keaton is accused of voting more than once in Marion County elections under the names of his dead brother and a deceased son.
The Oregonian reports that Keaton supposedly told the state investigators about the Social Security benefits, and they alerted federal authorities.
Theft of government funds carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Lafayette F. Keaton appeared Monday in federal court and pleaded not guilty to felony counts of Social Security fraud and theft of government funds. He was released pending trial set for May 11.
Prosecutors contend that in 1997, using his brother Jerome's name and Social Security number, Lafayette Keaton applied for Supplemental Security Income payments. Apparently unaware that Jerome Keaton died in 1989 in Michigan, the Social Security Administration has been paying out about $6,600 a year since then.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen Cooper said Lafayette Keaton has been collecting his own Social Security retirement payments during those 13 years. The public defender assigned to represent Keaton, Harold DuCloux III, declined comment.
In addition to administering retiree benefits for workers 62 and older, Social Security runs the SSI program, which is intended as a lifeline of last resort for the aged and disabled whose income and resources are below certain minimal levels.
Authorities say Keaton might still be receiving those extra checks if not for an unrelated election fraud inquiry in Marion County.
Following an Oregon attorney general's office investigation, Keaton was charged Feb. 10 in Marion County Circuit Court with two counts of making false statements under election laws.
Cooper says Keaton is accused of voting more than once in Marion County elections under the names of his dead brother and a deceased son.
The Oregonian reports that Keaton supposedly told the state investigators about the Social Security benefits, and they alerted federal authorities.
Theft of government funds carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
