Fitzgerald man convicted in scam using dead man’s identity to steal Social Security benefits

Following a three-day federal trial, jurors convicted a Fitzgerald man Wednesday in a conspiracy to embezzle nearly $80,000 in Social Security benefits in the name of a dead man for nearly eight years after the man’s death, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Larry T. Hyman, 59, was convicted of conspiracy to embezzle government monies, according to a news release.

Hyman had his name added as a joint signatory to the deceased man’s bank account and continued to withdraw and spend the man’s benefits long after his 2005 death, according to the release.

A Social Security Administration representative sent letters and called the dead man in 2013 to try to verify his identity.

The representative instead spoke with Gussie Scott who falsely claimed to be the man’s niece. Scott pleaded guilty in the case last year and is awaiting sentencing, according to the release.

Scott told the representative that her uncle wasn’t at home, but that she would have him return the call. Evidence at the trial showed Hyman knew about the call and continued to make ATM withdrawals from the dead man’s account, according to the release.

To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398 or find her on Twitter@awomackmacon.

This story was originally published October 9, 2015 at 12:37 PM with the headline "Fitzgerald man convicted in scam using dead man’s identity to steal Social Security benefits ."