A Long Island man has been accused of collecting disability payments while simultaneously competing in weightlifting competitions and posting fitness content to social media, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Tuesday.
Allegations
Raymond Phillips, 40, was arrested this month after an investigation found that he allegedly collected more than $100,000 in disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) from 2021 to 2024.
Phillips was able to receive disability payments by claiming a weightlifting injury prevented him from working. However, during that time, Phillips allegedly posted several videos and photos of himself weightlifting on Facebook and Instagram.
Conor Washington, special agent in charge at the SSA Office of Inspector General, also accused Phillips of continuing to work as a personal trainer while collecting disability payments.
Charges
Phillips was charged in a three-count indictment, charging him with second-degree grand larceny and two counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree.
If he is convicted of grand larceny, he’ll face a maximum of 15 years in prison.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
