Chagrin Falls Man Charged With Social Security Fraud

CHAGRIN FALLS, OH — A 47-year-old Chagrin Falls man is one of eight people being charged with Social Security fraud, announced United States Attorneys Justin E. Herdman and Benjamin C. Glassman. The eight cases are part of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Fraud Prosecution Project.

Norman Thompson, III, 47, of Chagrin Falls, is being charged for allegedly wrongfully converting his deceased mother's Title II disability benefits. Thompson reportedly intercepted the SSA checks being issued to his mother every month after her death.

Herdman and Glassman's office estimate that Thompson caused a loss of about $37,000. (To stay up to date on local stories, subscribe to the Patch Solon newsletter. As news breaks and the story develops, you will be the first to receive updates from Patch.)

In total, the U.S. attorneys charged eight people for stealing Social Security and other retirement benefits in September. The losses from the thefts total more than $796,000. Seven of the eight cases saw someone steal benefits that were meant for a deceased relative or friend. One individual stole the identity of a living 65-year-old doctor.

“These defendants stole tens of thousands of dollars from taxpayers,” said Herdman, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. “We will continue to work with all our law enforcement partners to root out fraud, including those who steal from Social Security.”

From early 2016 through September 2017, U.S. attorneys throughout the nation have secured more than 300 convictions, leading to $34 million in restitution ordered by judicial order.

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