A Social Security Administration (SSA) employee has been ordered to federal prison for stealing government property and failing to appear for February 2024 sentencing, fleeing to Mexico. The SSA employee was arrested upon returning to the United States in September.
Lee Marvin Nichols will now serve two years in prison and another three years of supervised release.
Nichols admitted to creating fake profiles for two children that did not exist, linking them to a recently deceased individual and a disabled woman living in Mexico. According to a news release on the matter, the Social Security employee “ensured that the debit cards for the children’s benefits were sent to the address of someone with whom he was associated. He would then use the debit cards to make regular withdrawals at ATMs. When making those withdrawals, he attempted to disguise himself by using hats pulled down over his face, sunglasses, balaclavas and other clothing to conceal his appearance.”
The IRS further sent stimulus payments of $1,400 to each fake profile under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
Nichols claimed responsibility for more than $75,000 of losses to the federal government. He will pay $82,516 in restitution to the SSA and $2,800 in restitution to the IRS.
“The defendant not only stole from the American taxpayer, but he also abused the trust given him as a public servant,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “The Southern District of Texas will continue to safeguard the public fisc by rooting out fraudsters like Mr. Nichols.”
