PHOENIX — A Spanish man accused of defrauding the Social Security Administration using forged medical records has been extradited to the U.S. to stand trial, authorities announced Friday.
Fraud Allegations and Indictment
Joseph P. Stanton was indicted in 2022 for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits using fraudulent medical records. He now faces multiple felony charges, including:
- Three counts of Forgery
- One count of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices
How Investigators Uncovered the Alleged Fraud
Stanton allegedly falsely claimed to have Stage 3 pancreatic and liver cancers to qualify for SSDI benefits. When his first application was denied, he appealed the decision using forged medical documents, according to prosecutors.
An investigation by the Arizona Department of Economic Security’s Disability Determination Services determined that his claims were fraudulent, leading to his indictment and extradition.
Stanton will now face prosecution in Arizona.
