MAN INDICTED FOR MAKING FALSE STATEMENT AND THEFT OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

BIRMINGHAM, AL United States Attorney Alice H. Martin of the Northern District of Alabama and Roland Maye, Special Agent in Charge, United States Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General announced today that GENE GRADY TERRY has been indicted by a federal grand jury for making a false statement and theft of government property.

GENE GRADY TERRY, 55, of Decatur, AL. was charged in a three-count indictment filed today at U. S. District Court in Birmingham. Count One charges Terry with making a false statement to the Social Security Administration on November 16, 2006, in connection with the disability and retirement programs. Count Two charges Theft of Government Property ranging from May 1, 1998 to August 3, 2007. Count Three gives notice of the government's intent to forfeit $209,613.20 in losses.

The maximum penalty for making a false statement to the government is 5 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine or both. The maximum penalty for theft of government property is 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine or both.

"Supplying false information to the Social Security Administration, in order to get benefits, is stealing from those who deserve benefits and it will be prosecuted", stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin.

The case was investigated by Special. Agents of the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Frank M. Salter is prosecuting this case.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.