Show-Me State Times

ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Clark sentenced Gino Rives, a 36-year-old resident of Edmundson, Missouri, to 87 months in prison for financial exploitation of two elderly women and committing disability fraud. In addition to the prison sentence, Rives was ordered to repay over $1.1 million.

Rives also agreed to return a house and six vehicles obtained from his victims and was fined $100,000 by Judge Clark.

In January, Rives pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to five counts of theft of government funds related to disability fraud. He had previously pleaded guilty in October on charges connected to elder fraud, including one count of access device fraud and one count of fraudulent transactions.

Rives admitted receiving fraudulent payments from the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Supplemental Security Income Program by falsely claiming a mental health disorder since 2010. He pretended inability during interviews and evaluations and claimed various incapacities such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, following instructions, completing tasks, inability to drive or handle financial affairs, and having no assets.

However, he concealed his employment in construction and tree trimming industries, participation in competitive mixed martial arts, ownership of houses and vehicles, and receipt of more than $721,692 since 2021. Consequently, he must repay the SSA $120,260.

Additionally, Rives admitted exploiting two elderly women financially. He acquired four vehicles and checks totaling over $855,000 from one woman under the pretense of construction work on her house that was mostly uncompleted. He also used her debit card for personal purchases for himself and his family. For another victim's property acquisition through a quitclaim deed transfer into his name; he moved her into a nursing home while allowing his mother to move into the victim’s home.

A nursing home administrator testified that the second victim was left at the facility with minimal clothing items but received additional clothing through donations facilitated by the administrator.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Berry highlighted in a sentencing memo that Rives had been convicted previously in 2009 for financial exploitation of an elderly individual and faced similar accusations again in 2014.

Judge Clark ordered restitution amounting to $1,042,848 for the elder fraud case.

Zella Rives admitted aiding her son with disability fraud while Austin James confessed involvement with defrauding one victim; both await sentencing.

The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General alongside the U.S. Secret Service with Assistant U.S Attorney Tracy Berry prosecuting the case.

Individuals with information regarding disability fraud are encouraged to contact SSA Office of Inspector General via hotline at 1-800-269-0271 or report online at oig.ssa.gov/report. Concerns about suspected abuse or neglect should be directed towards Missouri’s Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-392-0210 or online at health.mo.gov/safety/abuse/.