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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that ELIJAH CHARLES SORINA (“SORINA”), age 33, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced on December 10, 2021 for Theft of Government Funds.

According to documents filed in federal court, SORINA continued to receive Social Security Administration (“SSA”) disability benefits after he claimed he was disabled and unable to work.  Federal special agents determined SORINA began working for a local transportation company as a school bus driver in 2014 after he obtained a commercial driver’s license.  SSA determined that from May 2014 until August 2016, SORINA received benefits of $19,897.00 to which he was not entitled because he concealed his employment from the SSA.

U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown sentenced SORINA to a sentence of time served, restitution in the amount of $19,897.00, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General and the Louisiana State Police.  The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U. S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.