(The Center Square) – Steven M. Woodall, 64, of South Sioux City, Nebraska, received a sentence in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, on February 14, 2024, for theft of government funds, United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced this week.
Senior United States District Court Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced the man to four years of probation and required him to pay $50,540 in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska’s office.
Woodall applied for benefits from both the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Benefits Administration.
Statements Woodall made resulted in the entities determining him to be 100% disabled due to legal blindness. He then started getting government benefits.
Law enforcement agents found out that Woodall still had a Nebraska driver’s license when he got the disability benefits for blindness.
They also concluded that Woodall got a concealed handgun carry permit during that time.
“That permit requires the person to possess at least the same level of sight as is required to obtain a driver’s license, and the person must pass a written test and a shooting test to demonstrate accuracy with a firearm,” the release said.
Local police in South Sioux City, Nebraska, also listed him as a witness to a few events reported to the police during this time.
Plus, while surveilling the man, agents saw him walking and driving around without help from anyone.
The man received an eye examination on August 13, 2020, to determine his eligibility for benefits. Agents witnessed him drive about 86 miles from his home in South Sioux City, Nebraska, to the facility to take the eye exam in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Agents also saw his wife riding as a passenger. Woodall reportedly drove to the facility without issue, got out of his car, and walked into the front door of the facility without any help.
However, during his eye exam, Woodall said his blindness prevented him from driving.
The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Office of Inspector General, the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General investigated the case.