ST. LOUIS – Gino Rives, a 36-year-old man from Edmundson, pleaded guilty on Thursday to five counts of theft of government funds, involving a scheme where he falsely claimed disability benefits while simultaneously exploiting two elderly women.
Rives admitted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to fraudulently applying for Supplemental Security Income payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 2010. During his application process, he feigned a mental health disorder, demonstrating inability to perform basic tasks and suffering from memory issues. He also misled officials about his employment status, claiming he had never worked, couldn’t drive, and was incapable of managing his finances.
Despite these claims, Rives concealed his employment in construction and tree trimming, his active involvement in competitive mixed martial arts, and his ownership of various properties and vehicles. From this fraudulent activity, he received over $91,000.
The case took a more severe turn when, in October, Rives confessed to exploiting two elderly women. He swindled one woman out of at least $500,000, acquiring four vehicles and substantial monetary amounts. Additionally, he manipulated another woman into vacating her home, which he then rented out to his mother.
Rives is set for sentencing in the disability fraud case on April 17 and in the elder fraud case on March 14.