Fargo man admits to collecting over $52,000 in Social Security disability benefits after relative’s death
Fargo, North Dakota – A 34-year-old Fargo man has pleaded guilty to a federal felony charge after admitting that he collected more than $52,000 in Social Security disability benefits belonging to a deceased family member over several years.
United States Attorney Nicholas W. Chase announced that Zachary Paul Femling, of Fargo, North Dakota, entered a guilty plea to one count of Theft of Government Property.
Femling appeared before U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland and admitted to unlawfully obtaining a total of $52,176 from the Social Security Administration.
Fraud continued for more than four years
According to court documents, Femling received Social Security Administration Disability Insurance Benefits that were intended for a relative who had died.
The illegal activity began on August 10, 2021, and continued until January 31, 2026, covering approximately four and a half years.
During that period, Femling failed to notify the Social Security Administration that his family member had passed away. As a result, disability payments continued to be collected even though the person entitled to receive them was deceased.
Federal prosecutors said the total amount unlawfully obtained reached $52,176.
Following his guilty plea, Femling is scheduled to return to federal court for sentencing on January 11, 2027, at 9 a.m. The hearing will take place in Bismarck before Judge Hovland.
The investigation was carried out by the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan J. O’Konek is prosecuting the case.
The announcement also comes as the Department of Justice continues its broader efforts to investigate fraud involving federal government programs.
On April 7, the department announced the creation of its National Fraud Enforcement Division, also known as the Fraud Division, to investigate and prosecute fraud against the American people.
The division’s work supports President Donald Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a governmentwide effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance. The task force focuses on addressing fraud, waste and abuse involving federal benefit programs.
Femling’s sentence has not yet been determined and will be decided during his January 2027 court hearing.
