Sarasota Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing Railroad Retirement Board Disability Benefits

Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Allen R. Jenkins (68, Sarasota) has pleaded guilty to theft of government property. Jenkins faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, Jenkins, a United States Railroad Retirement (USRRB) disability annuitant, was actively working in multiple capacities throughout the period he was receiving USRRB disability benefits and failed to report any of that work as required. Specifically, Jenkins was listed as a Registered Agent/Officer of at least 22 businesses, maintained five real estate broker's licenses, and was licensed and working as a Community Association Manager. Jenkins failed to report this work activity, despite receiving annual reminder notices to report all work activity, and provided false, incomplete, and misleading answers on the one occasion he was directly asked about his work activity by the RRB. Jenkins was also buying and renovating properties for profit, which he did not report. Based on Jenkins's failure to make the required reports, USRRB overpaid him approximately $271,124 in disability benefits.

This case was investigated by the Railroad Retirement Board, Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Huyler and Assistant United States Attorney Michael Gordon.