81-year-old man sentenced in Social Security fraud

Here is a press release from U.S. Attorney Dwight C. Holden in Portland, Ore.

81 YEAR-OLD PORTLAND MAN SENTENCED IN SOCIAL SECURITY FRAUD

PORTLAND, Ore. – Lafayette Frederick Keaton was sentenced today to six months in prison and six months of home confinement for defrauding the Social Security Administration and the Department of Human Services for the past 13 years.

Judge Garr M. King advised Keaton that his criminal conduct justified a sentence of incarceration but also noted that Keaton’s age and health warranted a sentence at the lowest end of the 12 – 18 month sentencing guidelines range.

Keaton pled guilty in July to using his dead brother’s identity to collect more than $139,000 in social security, food stamps, and Medicare benefits. Keaton was also ordered to pay full restitution.

Keaton’s case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Investigations in Salem and was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen Cooper as part of a partnership venture between the Seattle Region, SSA Office of the General Counsel and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Portland, Oregon.