Grove City Man Sentenced for Stealing More Than $86K in Disability Benefits

A 66-year-old Grove City man was sentenced Wednesday for stealing more than $86,000 in Social Security disability benefits.

Ralph Frisch was sentenced to 25 months in prison on one count of concealment from the Social Security Administration. He was also ordered to pay $77,980.40 in restitution.

At a hearing in 2004 Frisch testified that he was disabled because of an ankle injury. He said he needed a cane to walk. Based on his testimony, a judge found him to be disabled, and he began receiving $1,400 per month in benefits.

Investigators later obtained evidence that between May and September of 2004 Frisch had done painting and roofing jobs. In October of 2004 an investigator watched Frisch at a roofing job in Minneapolis. Investigators also saw him climb up and down a ladder, use an electric saw, and install new shingles. He was working without using a cane or walker.

Frisch was indicted on February 24, 2011 and plead guilty on March 17. In his plea agreement Frisch admitted that when he applied for disability benefits, he failed to disclose to the SSA his true physical condition, capabilities, employment, and ability to engage in work.