A Minnesota man already behind bars has admitted that he faked an injury for several years and collected tens of thousands of dollars in Social Security benefits while doing roofing and other work prior to his imprisonment.
Moose Lake inmate Ralph E.H. Frisch, 65, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in St. Paul to defrauding the Social Security Administration out of more than $86,000 in benefits from 2004 until 2008. He faces a potential prison sentence of five years.
According to his plea agreement:
Frisch filed a claim for disability benefits in September 2002 but was denied. At a hearing in January 2004, he said he had an ankle injury and needed a cane or a walker to get around. Three months later, he began receiving about $1,400 per month in benefits.
In October 2004, a private investigator saw Frisch roofing a home in Minneapolis for several days. The Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General interviewed Frisch in February 2008. He acknowledged working for a temporary service from 2004 through 2006, shoveling snow, making pizzas and setting up tables. He also said he did roof work.
Frisch's benefits were terminated in October 2008. He has been imprisoned since November 2009 on a felony drug-dealing conviction. His expected release date is Jan. 6, 2014.
PAUL WALSH
