AKRON -- A 53-year-old Akron man is facing several charges on fraud allegations that he received nearly $350,000 by claiming he was disabled while working as a home-repair contractor.
The 11-count indictment against James Van Buskirk includes the following charges: Theft of government funds, wire fraud and fraudulently securing Social Security benefits.
The indictment alleges Van Buskirk stole $75,823 in Social Security benefits designated for the truly disabled by reporting complete disability while still performing physical labor as a home repair contractor. He also allegedly falsely applied for and received $269,932 from the Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation (OBWC) through the same scheme to defraud.
"These programs exist to help those who are truly disabled and cannot work," says Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. "We will continue to prosecute those who abuse programs like these for their own enrichment."
This scheme ranged from approximately November 2002 through April 2014, according to the indictment.
The indictment also alleges that Van Buskirk concealed and failed to disclose his self-employment, knowing that it would affect his right to Social Security disability benefits.
