(USAO, WA) A SeaTac man who used a second identity to defraud federal and state public assistance programs for more than 20 years was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 30 months in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.  TRAVIS EDWARD FISCHER, 49, lived with his girlfriend and three children in SeaTac, while also claiming benefits under the name Edward Travis Fischer in Seattle.  By pretending to be two completely separate people, FISCHER was able to illegally collect hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefits administered by the Social Security Administration, the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, and the Seattle Housing Authority.  At the sentencing hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez said FISCHER stole money that should have been used to help other needy beneficiaries. Chief Judge Martinez also added: “These crimes have a corrosive effect on the public’s confidence that these programs can be administered properly.”

According to records filed in the case and testimony at trial, FISCHER applied for Social Security disability benefits in his true name in August 1984, and collects them to the present day.  In 1987, FISCHER also applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits in the name of Edward Fischer, using a different Social Security number.  Benefits were approved and paid to that identity beginning in 1987.  In order to keep receiving benefits FISCHER had to make false representations to Social Security at various times over the last 25 years...