(Source: USAO, WA) A SeaTac man who used a second identity to defraud public assistance programs for more than 20 years was convicted late yesterday of multiple federal felonies following a three day jury trial, 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 Fisher 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 United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The jury deliberated for just under three hours before finding FISCHER guilty on all counts. Sentencing before Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez is scheduled for June 23, 2016.
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) ...