WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Sam Johnson (R-TX) issued the following statement in response to indictments for Disability Insurance fraud in Kentucky and West Virginia, where an attorney, a psychologist, and a Social Security Administrative Law Judge were arrested for falsifying medical records, among other allegations. The indictments allege the individuals involved in this wide-ranging scheme have attempted to defraud taxpayers of a staggering $600 million in Social Security funds.      

“We count on doctors, lawyers, and Social Security’s employees to help those that deserve Disability Insurance benefits to receive them. Americans have a right to expect that these individuals in positions of trust aren’t defrauding the system. But if they do, its important that they are held accountable. I commend the Social Security Office of Inspector General, the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General for uncovering this fraud.

“This fall, we passed legislation which included ideas from my past bills to exclude evidence by doctors who have cheated the system before and to increase the penalties for fraud by those in positions of trust. As Social Security Subcommittee Chairman, I am committed to making sure the Disability Insurance program is protected from fraudsters so it continues to be there for those who count on it.”