Christian home official guilty of Social Security fraud
By Alexandra Bogdanovic
Irven Jones, the general manager of the Blue Ridge Christian Home in Bealeton, has pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of theft of government property.
David Melton, a spokesman for the Washington metropolitan area office of the Social Security Administration, said Jones recently waived prosecution by indictment and entered the plea in U.S. District Court in the Western District of Virginia (Charlottesville).
The "information" or charge brought against Jones by federal prosecutors stemmed from an investigation which revealed that he had allegedly engaged in Social Security fraud. Specifically, it determined that Jones knowingly concealed his work activity in order to receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration, Melton said.
Jones allegedly received the SSA disability benefits from February 2004 through September 2007. Melton said during that time, Jones continued to work as the general manager of the Blue Ridge Christian Home, which is a certified elderly assistance home.
Investigators found that Jones' wife also worked at the Blue Ridge Christian Home. At about the time Jones became eligible to receive the benefits, he allegedly began to conceal his salary through his wife's earnings, which doubled at the time, according to Melton.
The approximate amount the Social Security Administration lost due to the fraud is about $97,000, Melton said.
Details, details...
Federal court documents show that Jones appeared before the Honorable Norman K. Moon in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia on April 21.
In a 10-page plea agreement submitted to the court that day, Jones acknowledged that by pleading guilty he is giving up certain constitutional rights, including the right to plead not guilty, the right to a speedy trial, the right to remain silent at trial and the right to testify in his own behalf.
He further acknowledged that he entered the plea because he "is in fact guilty" and because it is in his "best interest" to do so.
The agreement stipulates that the prosecuting attorney will recommend a prison sentence "at the low end of the applicable sentencing guidelines range." It also stipulates that the prosecution would not object to a request that Jones be allowed to serve his time at a community correctional facility if it is allowed under the Bureau of Prison's rules and regulations.
Those provisions are contingent upon Jones accepting responsibility for his actions and fulfilling his obligations under the plea agreement.
As part of the deal, Jones has agreed to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration totaling approximately $97,225, and to pay a minimum fine of $9,000.
Jones acknowledged in the plea agreement that the court does not have to follow the prosecution's sentencing recommendation and may impose a sentence "up to the maximum provided by law."
He faces a fine of up to $250,000, a maximum of 10 years in prison and a period of supervised released.
A sentencing hearing in federal court in Charlottesville is now scheduled for 11:30 a.m. July 8.
E-mail the reporter: abogdanovic@timespapers.com