I recently read an article in the Kalamazoo Gazette entitled “Tangled in Fraud Probe, 100s Face Loss of Disability Checks.†As a Social Security Disability Attorney  who has handled thousands of Social Security Disability claims, I felt it was important to point out that fraud is actually rare in the Social Security Disability system. The article in the Gazette discussed the fact that an attorney from Kentucky named Eric Conn has been accused of fabricating evidence with the help of a doctor in an effort to get benefits for Social Security Disability claimants. In the relevant cases, an Administrative Law Judge is also accused of working with attorney Conn to push through claims and pay benefits. All three individuals are being prosecuted as a result of this situation. Hundreds of individuals who were awarded disability benefits in these cases are now being required to prove they are disabled again to continue receiving benefits. I believe it is important to point out that good attorneys gather credible evidence from treating care providers including opinions regarding limitations that would interfere with an individual performing full time gainful employment. Good Judges review cases fairly and apply the law when making decisions. The Social Security Disability system is conservative and strong evidence is needed to prove that an individual is disabled. It is unfortunate that an attorney, doctor, and Judge may have worked together to commit fraud, however; this is a rare situation that is not representative of how Social Security Disability claims are handled and decided.