A Florida pastor, Michael Gene Bryant, is facing charges for allegedly collecting a dead person’s Social Security entitlements for over a decade. Bryant, the pastor of Greater Sweetfield Missionary Baptist Church, failed to report his friend’s death and continued to claim and spend their Social Security benefits after they died in 2012. He is facing federal criminal charges including theft of government funds and making false statements to a federal agency for his actions.
According to the federal indictment, Bryant was appointed as a representative payee for the deceased individual in the mid ’90s and was required to inform the Social Security Administration of any changes to the arrangement, such as the death of the individual. Despite this requirement, Bryant allegedly continued to collect Social Security payments for over 12 years after the person’s death, using the money for purposes other than the benefit of the deceased individual. If found guilty on the three criminal charges, Bryant could face up to 20 years in prison.
The indictment filed with Florida’s Southern District Court states that Bryant falsely informed the SSA multiple times between 2017 and 2021 that he had used the money for the benefit of the deceased individual, including food, housing, clothing, and medical expenses. Bryant also claimed that the deceased person had been living with him until 2023, despite their death in 2012. The exact amount of money allegedly taken by Bryant over the years is unknown, but it is confirmed to be over $1,000. Each charge carries potential jail time and fines, with a maximum of 5 years for conversion by a representative payee, 10 years for theft of government funds, and an additional maximum of 5 years for making false statements to a government agency.
A former parishioner expressed shock at the allegations, stating that it was unbelievable coming from a pastor. Charolette Smith, who lives near the church Bryant serves, expressed surprise at the news and questioned Bryant’s actions. The relationship between Bryant and the deceased individual, as well as the reason why he became their representative payee, is not specified in the court documents. Newsweek attempted to contact the SSA for comment but was unable to reach them outside of normal working hours.
Overall, the case highlights the serious consequences of misusing government funds and making false statements to federal agencies. Bryant’s alleged actions, if proven true, could result in significant penalties, including imprisonment and substantial fines. The community’s reaction to the news reflects the impact of the allegations on those who knew Bryant and raises questions about trust and integrity in positions of authority. The investigation and legal proceedings will further determine the extent of Bryant’s involvement and potential consequences for his actions.
