Atlanta Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Theft of Benefits

A 53-year-old Atlanta man will spend the next two years in prison for bilking the federal government out of approximately $400,000 through Social Security and VA fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.

Rupert Morgan, a paralegal by trade, befriended a man receiving Social Security and VA disability benefits while the man was living at a personal care home owned by Morgan’s then-wife in 1996. Morgan and the man eventually set up a joint bank account where the man’s benefits were deposited.

When the man died in November of 1997, Morgan continued to collect his benefits and even opened a second bank account in their names to transfer benefit money to. By the time Morgan was caught, he had taken $258,045.00 from the VA and $142,372.00 from the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Morgan pleaded guilty to charges of theft of government funds on Sept. 26, was sentenced to 27 months in prison with an additional three years to serve on probation. Morgan must also pay $299,164.75 in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Special Agent in Charge Monty Stokes, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG) – Southeast Field Office, said in a statement, “this sentencing is a testament to the excellent inter-agency cooperation with VA OIG, Social Security Administration, and the Department of Justice. We are committed to aggressively pursuing those who commit fraud against our nation’s veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs and its programs.”