HARRISBURG - A Coal Township man pleaded guilty to failing to report to the retirement board in charge of his disability benefits that he was working in Shamokin.
According to court documents from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, Paul J. Orner filed his plea Monday, admitting he "willfully and knowingly" failed to report and provide information to the Railroad Retirement Board that he was employed and earning funds at Q-Stix Pool and Game Room, Independence Street, while he was receiving disability payments, thereby resulting in his receipt of disability overpayments.
A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled, but the maximum penalty for the offense is imprisonment for a period of one year, a fine of $10,000, a supervised release of up to one year after imprisonment, costs of prosecution and denial of certain federal benefits.
In exchange for the guilty plea, the district court will not bring any other criminal charges against Orner that directly arise out of his involvement with the offenses. The U.S. government will make no specific recommendation on Orner's sentencing.
As part of the plea, Orner agreed to fully disclose all his assets, including those held by a spouse or other third party.
He waived his right to a jury trial.
The plea agreement was signed by Orner and his attorney, Ronald C. Travis, July 12, and prosecuting assisting U.S. attorney Wayne P. Samuelson July 22.
Orner will be ordered to appear at the U.S. District Courthouse and Federal Building, 240 W. Third St., Williamsport, at a date yet to be scheduled.
