Trump admin cracks down on unemployment benefit fraud
In a bold move to clamp down on unemployment benefit misuse, the Trump administration has unveiled an anti-fraud task force targeting unlawful claims across the country, with its first wave of actions in Massachusetts. Officials have announced the apprehension of 15 individuals, underscoring allegations that undocumented immigrants have been illicitly using the identities of American citizens to fraudulently obtain SNAP, disability, and Social Security benefits. This initiative is committed to vigorously prosecuting those who exploit these essential programs.
In New York, a Long Island resident finds himself under scrutiny as Attorney General Letitia James accuses him of double-dealing—collecting disability payments while actively participating in weightlifting events and sharing his fitness endeavors on social media.
Raymond Phillips, aged 40, faced arrest earlier this month following a probe that revealed he had allegedly secured over $100,000 in disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) between 2021 and 2024, the attorney general’s office stated in a recent announcement.
The attorney general’s office, through a press release unveiling the charges, shared three revealing photographs from 2023 depicting Phillips engaged in bench pressing and squatting exercises, casting doubt on his disability claims.
According to the attorney general’s office, Phillips had managed to obtain disability funds by asserting that a weightlifting injury rendered him incapable of working, a narrative that now faces legal challenge in light of contradicting evidence.
Raymond Phillips appears to perform a squat at a 2023 weightlifting competition in a photo provided by the New York Attorney General’s Office. (New York Attorney General’s Office)
“Raymond Phillips shamelessly collected benefits meant for disabled New Yorkers while boasting his weightlifting achievements on social media,” James said in a statement. “My office has no tolerance for fraudsters who cheat the system and steal from programs that are a lifeline for New Yorkers in need.”
According to the attorney general’s office, Phillips filed paperwork with the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) in August 2018 claiming he injured his dominant arm that June from weightlifting.
New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a church service as part of the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators 55th annual legislative conference at the Albany Capital Center on Feb. 15, 2026. (Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)
In that paperwork, Phillips said he had undergone surgery, could not perform rudimentary tasks without help and was dealing with extreme pain, the attorney general’s office said.
In May 2021, Phillips’ claim was approved by the federal government and for the next three years, he received payments, according to prosecutors.
During that time, Phillips allegedly posted several videos and photos of himself weightlifting on Facebook and Instagram. His social media accounts have since been deleted.
An image appears to show Raymond Phillips performing a bench press at a 2023 weightlifting competition. (New York Attorney General’s Office)
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Conor Washington, special agent in charge at the SSA Office of Inspector General, also accused Phillips of continuing to work as a personal trainer while collecting disability payments.
Phillips was charged in a three-count indictment, charging him with second degree grand larceny and two counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree.
If he is convicted of grand larceny, he’ll face a maximum of 15 years in prison.
News Media reached out to Phillips’ defense attorney for comment.