Trump admin cracks down on unemployment benefit fraud
The Trump administration’s anti-fraud task force has begun a broad national push targeting unemployment benefits fraud, with Massachusetts serving as the starting point. Authorities said 15 people have been arrested so far, pointing to cases in which illegal immigrants are accused of using stolen identities belonging to U.S. citizens to obtain benefits such as SNAP, disability payments and Social Security. Officials say the effort is designed to pursue aggressive prosecutions against anyone accused of draining essential public assistance programs.
In New York, a Long Island man is facing allegations that he received disability benefits while taking part in weightlifting competitions and sharing fitness-related posts online, Attorney General Letitia James said Tuesday.
Raymond Phillips, 40, was taken into custody this month after investigators determined he allegedly obtained more than $100,000 in Social Security Administration disability payments between 2021 and 2024, according to a statement from the attorney general’s office.
As part of its announcement, the attorney general’s office released three images from 2023 that appeared to show Phillips performing weightlifting movements, including bench presses and squats.
Prosecutors said Phillips qualified for disability payments after claiming that a weightlifting injury left him unable to work.
Raymond Phillips appears to complete a squat during a 2023 weightlifting competition in an image released by the New York Attorney General’s Office. (New York Attorney General’s Office)
“Raymond Phillips shamelessly collected benefits meant for disabled New Yorkers while boasting his weightlifting achievements on social media,” James said in a statement. “My office has no tolerance for fraudsters who cheat the system and steal from programs that are a lifeline for New Yorkers in need.”
According to the attorney general’s office, Phillips submitted documents to the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance in August 2018, stating that he had injured his dominant arm while weightlifting that June.
New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a church service as part of the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators 55th annual legislative conference at the Albany Capital Center on Feb. 15, 2026. (Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)
In that paperwork, Phillips said he had undergone surgery, could not perform rudimentary tasks without help and was dealing with extreme pain, the attorney general’s office said.
In May 2021, Phillips’ claim was approved by the federal government and for the next three years, he received payments, according to prosecutors.
During that time, Phillips allegedly posted several videos and photos of himself weightlifting on Facebook and Instagram. His social media accounts have since been deleted.
An image appears to show Raymond Phillips performing a bench press at a 2023 weightlifting competition. (New York Attorney General’s Office)
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Conor Washington, special agent in charge at the SSA Office of Inspector General, also accused Phillips of continuing to work as a personal trainer while collecting disability payments.
Phillips was charged in a three-count indictment, charging him with second degree grand larceny and two counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree.
If he is convicted of grand larceny, he’ll face a maximum of 15 years in prison.
INC News reached out to Phillips’ defense attorney for comment.
