Wednesday, May 27, 2009 | 11:27 a.m.
A Las Vegas boxing judge has been charged with Social Security fraud.
A federal grand jury charged 65-year-old Paul G. Smith of Las Vegas in a one-count indictment with committing Social Security fraud. The indictment alleges that from about September 1994 to December 2005, Smith failed to notify the Social Security Administration that he had been working as a licensed boxing judge in Nevada.
He was also involved with numerous businesses in a way that was inconsistent with his status as a disability benefits recipient, the indictment alleges.
Had Smith disclosed this information to Social Security administrators, as he was required to do by law, he would not have been authorized to receive disability insurance benefits.
It is estimated that over the 11-year period, Smith received about $250,000 in Social Security disability benefits. During the same time period, he allegedly received payments for refereeing about 107 boxing matches as well as involvement with several businesses inconsistent with his disability status, the indictment alleges.
If convicted, Smith faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Smith is scheduled for an initial appearance and arraignment on June 12.
The case is being investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Padda is prosecuting the case.
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