A businessman who lives just south of the Michigan state line has pleaded guilty to bank fraud, welfare fraud and tax evasion -- crimes he said he committed partially in an attempt to receive Social Security disability benefits.

The 43-year-old man, owner of a pair of coin and estate jewelry shops, said he didn't report all of the income made by him, his wife and his business on his tax returns from 2008 to 2010. He said he listed many of his personal costs as business costs.

The man also told a federal judge that he falsely told Social Security officials that he had been off the job from 2006 until 2011 so that he could receive Social Security disability benefits.

The man, in fact, had been working and earning a sizable income, he admitted. He also disclosed to the judge that he hid his assets from creditors and committed bankruptcy fraud.

The man told the judge he has had multiple sclerosis for five years and takes medication, which sometimes impairs his judgment and thinking.

The man has agreed not to appeal and to work with the Internal Revenue Service to settle his case. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 17. The U.S. attorney said he will seek a lesser sentence than guidelines suggest because the man had taken responsibility. Sentencing guidelines recommend a sentence of as long as 25 years, plus $1.25 million worth of fines. He also owes more than $365,000 in back taxes.

Social Security disability benefits are for people who are too injured or too sick to work. Those benefits are essential for recipients. When people such as the man above abuse the process, it makes it more difficult for honest participants to have a safety net program to rely on.

Source: WSBT, "Mishawaka businessman admits to welfare fraud, tax evasion," Kelli Stopczynski, Feb. 10, 2012