Trucker pleads guilty to fraud after collecting over $80,000 in disability benefits

A Pennsylvania trucker who illegally collected over $80,000 in disability benefits has pleaded guilty to fraud.

On April 15, Peter Albanese plead guilty to wire fraud, Social Security fraud, and making false statements, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG).

Albanese was previously indicted on December 1, 2020 and for defrauding the Social Security Administration by falsely claiming a disability.

The indictment alleges that from 2017 through October 2020, Albanese collected more than $80,000 in Social Security disability benefits while hiding his work and income as a truck driver. The indictment also states that Albanese presented a false Medical Examiner’s Certificate during a roadside inspection to conceal the fact that he was not medically examined and certified as required by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

The DOT-OIG is conducting the investigation with the SSA-OIG with assistance from the FMCSA.