United States of America v. Edward Douglas Cornman

Marquette, Michigan criminal defense attorney represented defendant charged with theft of government funds.



Edward Douglas Cornman, 49, of Menominee, Michigan, was indicted for theft of government funds.



Cornman pleaded guilty in June 2021 to lying about his work history and assets to obtain Medicaid benefits. From 2010 to 2019, Cornman failed to disclose his assets and work activities to the Social Security Administration. As a result, he improperly received Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, and other benefits. Over the approximately ten-year period, Cornman received $297,768.31 in benefits from various agencies he was not entitled to receive.



U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge said, "Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income are programs aimed at the neediest in our society. Protecting those programs from abuse is one of our most important missions. My office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who abuse federally funded programs and benefits.”



"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,” said Gail S. Ennis Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. "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.”



The Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of Education, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services investigated the case.



18:641 PUBLIC MONEY, PROPERTY OR RECORDS; theft of government funds

(2)

Defendant was sentenced to 18 months in prison and order the pay $297,768.31 in restitution.