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A 49-year-old Menominee man will spend 18 months in jail after falsifying applications for $297,768 in benefits. Edward Cornman pleaded guilty to the charges in June. He hid his work history and other relevant asset holdings when seeking approval for Medicaid assistance. The government program is income dependent.
The benefits were obtained over a 10-year period. The judge presiding over the case also demanded Cornman pay back the money received through restitution.
Social Security Administration Inspector General Gail Ennis says, “Mr. Cornman egregiously misused the Federal and State benefits that many people solely rely on to meet their essential needs. He deliberately concealed his property, resources, and earnings from working at his own construction company to fraudulently receive Supplemental Security Income, as well as Medicaid and other benefits. I thank the Michigan State Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General and local law enforcement for their efforts in this investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.”
US Attorney Andrew Birge says the programs Cornman abused are meant only for the neediest contingent of society.
