SEATTLE (AP) — A Seattle man who falsely claimed he had a disability has been sentenced to spend a year in prison.
James Pitman pleaded guilty in February after an investigation found he had received Social Security disability benefits for years while he was fully employed and running his own business.
Chief U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnic imposed the sentence on the 48-year-old.
Pitman first applied for disability payments in 1996, claiming back pain and attention problems made it impossible for him to work. His claim was initially denied, but approved later when he reported additional symptoms.
In 2000, Pitman was convicted in federal court of bank fraud, credit card fraud and money laundering. But he continued to receive disability payments when he wasn’t in jail.
