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Escanaba police arrest five for Social Security disability fraud

ESCANABA, MI--   Five Upper Peninsula residents have been arrested in connection with an investigation into Social Security disability fraud. 

The Escanaba Department of Public Safety, in conjunction with the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General Grand Rapids Resident Office, conducted a six-month investigation into the fraudulent receiving and/or misuse of benefits. 

Police arrested a 36-year-old Williamston, Michigan man (formerly of Wilson), a 38-year-old Escanaba man, a 37-year-old Norway woman, a 59-year-old Wilson woman, and a 56-year-old Escanaba woman.  Each is charged with false pretenses-$1,000 or more but less than $20,000, except for the Wilson woman, who is charged with embezzlement from a vulnerable adult-$1,000 or more but less than $20,000. 

Combined, the cases are the equivalent of more than $187,000 in fraud loss. 

The Williamston man was arraigned Wednesday morning.  All other suspects are set to be arraigned November 2.  

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.