Hap E. Staman, 57, of Ogallala was sentenced in Omaha Tuesday to pay $57,000 to the Social Security Administration and serve five years of probation for fraud, a federal offense.

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According to U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Gilg, Staman applied for Social Security Disability benefits on Dec. 29, 1997, following injuries from a worksite accident. A vehicle moved forward in a mechanics shop, pinning his body between the vehicle and a workbench/wall.

Staman’s application was granted, but he was required to report any work activity he might perform in the future.

Between July 2004 and August 2005, Staman failed to report to SSA that he worked as an accountant, thereby accruing $12,760 in benefits to which he was not entitled, Gilg said.

Staman earned a Bachelors degree in accounting and gained employment as an entry level accountant. He did not report the employment to Social Security, but Social Security learned of his employment and terminated his benefits.

Staman then quit the accounting job. For a second time, he legitimately received Social Security Disability benefits; however, his monthly benefit was reduced in order for Social Security to recoup earlier overpayments, Gilg said.

Between November 2007 and March 2011, Staman again failed to report to SSA that he worked as a driver for "Negotiable Affections" (a company owned and run by he and his wife), thereby accruing $48,039 in benefits to which he was not entitled, for a total of $60,799, Gilg said.

This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Social Security Administration.