Richard I. Carleton III used to work as a customer service manager for the U.S. Postal Service in Lakeland, Florida. Back in 2006 he filed an insurance claim stating that he was suffering from depression, agoraphobia and panic disorders. A psychiatrist confirmed Carleton's disability claims and in March 2008 he began receiving monthly disability payments of more than $4,300. In October 2011 Carleton confirmed with the Department of Labor that he continued to suffer from his diagnosed condition and therefore remained eligible to receive further disability benefits.
According to court documents Carleton received in excess of $106,000 between October 2011 and May 2013. An investigation into Carleton's disability claim revealed that despite the fact he claimed to have a fear of crowds and public places (agoraphobia), he was found to have been participating in numerous golf tournaments, running in a variety of races, traveling extensively and involving himself in various activities which were held in public places and involved large groups. Carleton has since agreed to plead guilty to making false statements so as to obtain federal disability benefits. Should his plea be accepted by the court he stands to face a $250,000 fine and up to five years in federal prison. Restitutions to the U.S. Postal Service and the Department of Labor may also be ordered.
Tampa Firm Handles Social Security Cases
If you or a loved one feels you may have a valid social security disability claim it would be wise to seek counsel from a skilled personal injury lawyer at Smith & Stallworth, Attorneys at Law as soon as possible. For many years our firm has been helping the victims of personal injury accidents and we take pride in being able to provide clients with the aggressive representation needed to get the most optimum results for their case. We are dedicated to fighting hard to protect our clients' rights and we are committed to being the strong advocate you need after having become disabled. As the process to obtain disability benefits can be quite involved, we recommend you consult with a personal injury lawyer from our firm right away to determine if you qualify to receive Social Security Disability benefits. We will take the time to thoroughly review your current situation, and guide you through the entire process so that you improve your chances of getting your benefits approved without delays.
To find out if you qualify for disability benefits contact a Tampa personal injury attorney at our firm today.