GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Michigan, Western), published as received.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey announced that on May 5, 2026, a grand jury charged Michael Lee Brooks, 47, of Hastings, Michigan, with two counts of theft of federal taxpayer funds in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 641.
Count 1 of the indictment alleges that Brooks, who was the representative payee for his father’s Social Security retirement benefits, failed to notify the Social Security Administration that his father died in September 2019, and thereafter continued to collect his father’s Social Security benefits for seven years, through August 2025. The indictment alleges that Brooks submitted false annual representative payee accounting statements to the Social Security Administration as part of the theft, which totaled $99,055.00.
Count 2 of the indictment alleges that Brooks stole $4,218.00 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by making false statements and material omissions of fact.
If convicted, Brooks faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count.
The case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
