Candler man sentenced for $77K Social Security benefits fraud

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Mark Alan Barnes, of Candler, was sentenced to 16 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for Social Security benefits fraud.

According to court documents, from 2015 to 2020, Barnes collected approximately $77,770 in Social Security Retirement Benefits intended for a beneficiary who was deceased.

Instead of reporting the beneficiary’s death to the Social Security Administration as required, Barnes continued to collect the beneficiary’s SSA retirement benefits, using a debit card associated with the beneficiary’s bank account to withdraw funds from ATMs in the area.

On Feb. 8, 2025, Barnes pleaded guilty to theft of government funds.

“Stealing Social Security benefits is stealing from every taxpayer,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson.
“For Social Security to work, benefits must go only to those who earned them—not fraudsters. I
appreciate the strong partnership of the Social Security Administration in holding fraudsters
accountable.”

The Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General handled the investigation.

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