Waterford Man Indicted for Fraud in Obtaining and Using a False Social Security Number

ERIE, PA—A resident of Waterford, Pennsylvania has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of using a false Social Security number, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The eight-count indictment named Ebert Gordon Beeman, 62, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, Beeman, also known as William George Beman, William G. Beman, William Beeman, William G. Whipple, and mrwhipple51@hotmail.com, obtained and used a Social Security number that was not assigned to him to obtain credit and supplemental employment. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Beeman used a fraudulent Social Security number to apply for employment at three separate businesses. He is also alleged to have used a fraudulent Social Security number to obtain a car loan and four different credit cards.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.