New York Attorney General Letitia James said a Suffolk County man collected more than $100,000 in Social Security disability benefits while posting weightlifting videos and advertising personal training work.
What happened
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Tuesday that Raymond Phillips, 40, of Huntington, Suffolk County, was arrested and indicted for allegedly fraudulently collecting more than $100,000 in Social Security disability benefits.
The attorney general's office said its investigation found that Phillips falsely represented to the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance from 2021 to 2024 that he was unable to work or perform daily activities because of injuries he suffered while lifting weights in 2018. At the same time, the office said, Phillips continued lifting weights, competing, posting social media videos and advertising his personal trainer business.
According to the release, Phillips submitted paperwork in August 2018 claiming he was physically incapable of working because of serious injuries to his dominant arm from weightlifting. The Social Security Administration approved his disability application in May 2021, retroactive to 2018, and the attorney general's office said Phillips collected $100,000 from May 2021 through December 2024 based on allegedly false claims that he was disabled and unable to work.
The office said investigators found social media photos and videos from 2021 to 2024 showing Phillips weightlifting and competing despite claims that he could not lift his dominant left arm and had difficulty squatting, bending and standing. The release also said Phillips continued to claim eligibility for benefits in hearings and written reports through October 2025.
Phillips is charged with one count of second-degree grand larceny and two counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. If convicted of the top count, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Phillips was arraigned before Suffolk County Supreme Court Judge Anthony Senftt, according to the attorney general's office. The release said the charges are accusations and that Phillips is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.