LITTLE ROCK — A Little Rock man was sentenced for collecting over $250,000 in Social Security Disability payments when he was not actually disabled. Levell Baltimore, Jr., 45, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
In 2005, Baltimore applied for Social Security benefits and claimed to be disabled. He filled out a form stating he could not work or leave his house. He cited seasonal allergies, migraines, asthma, physical limitations, and fatigue as the reasons for his disability. Social Security initially denied his claim, but in further attempts to convince Social Security that he was disabled, he reported that he had not performed any substantial gainful activity in recent years. The Social Security Administration (SSA) eventually approved Baltimore’s claim, and he began receiving benefits in 2007.
Although Baltimore informed the SSA he had no income, he created and operated at least six businesses during the time he received disability benefits. Two of his businesses obtained contracts with the State of Arkansas. Though he was required to report any income to the SSA, he did not; rather, he continued telling the SSA he was unable to work.
Baltimore received fraudulent benefits from 2007 through June of 2018 totaling $284,862.25. Judge Moody sentenced Baltimore to pay that money back in restitution and also sentenced Baltimore to three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment.