(WWJ) -- A naturalized U.S. citizen from Syria has pleaded guilty after authorities charged him in connection to the theft of thousands of dollars of Social Security Supplemental Security Income benefits.
Samer Succar entered a guilty plea to one count of theft of government funds on Monday morning, according to a release from the United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Michigan.
Succar received payments from the Social Security Administration as the Representative Payee for his mother’s SSI benefits. Succar was required to notify the SSA on any changes that could impact her eligibility for benefits. Those included whether she left the country for a full calendar month or 30 consecutive days.
“Instead, for more than twenty years, Succar knowingly and intentionally concealed from and made false statements to the SSA about his mother’s foreign travel and residency, in order to obtain her SSI benefits,” the press release said.
Succar told the SSA that they were living together at homes in Michigan. Prosecutors said neither had lived in the country for years. Succar reportedly moved in at least September 2022 and his mom in September 2003.
“This thief lied about himself and his mother so that he could live in Syria on the back of the hardworking American taxpayer,” U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. said.
The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation into the case.
“By hiding his mother’s relocation outside the United States, Samer Succar knowingly continued to collect SSI benefits he was not entitled to receive,” Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Rodiguez, SSA OIG, Chicago Field Division, said. “This was a calculated deception, and those who abuse programs designed to support vulnerable individuals will be held accountable.”
As part of the plea agreement, Succar will pay $190,825 in restitution to the Social Security Administration. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Apr. 22.