US ATTORNEY DROPS ALL FRAUD CHARGES AGAINST CURRENT SSA JUDGE AND EMPLOYEES

Previously I had brought you news of the criminal investigation of a SSA Judge and SSA employees who had wrongfully used the testimony of one single social security vocational expert over and over again in hundreds and hundreds of other unrelated disability claims. The accused SSA Chief Judge Michael Johnson of the Kansas City region has since died. However the four SSA employees accused of helping the Judge remain on the job in the Des Moines Iowa SSA office: a sitting Judge, a Hearing Office director, and two SSA attorneys. Initial investigation by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) found direct evidence of fraud by the SSA in processing those SSA disability claims.

The OIG recommended imposing penalties of over $3.8 million against the SSA employees. The OIG found there was sufficient evidence of false representation by the SSA and recommended prosecution by the US Attorney office. The OIG then referred the matter for criminal prosecution to the US Attorney.

This year the US Attorney office and OIG, announced with no further explanation, they have dropped all charges and criminal fines and actions against the four SSA employees. No further action will be taken. In regard to the hundreds of disability claims that were involved, the SSA investigated itself on those claims and determined there was no need for the SSA to reopen any of the claims.