George Rawda Pled Guilty to Fraud

SYRACUSE, NY – George Rawda of Baldwinsville has today admitted to deceiving the Social Security Administration (SSA) by withholding information that would enable SSA to pay Supplemental Security Income benefits to a family member who otherwise wasn’t eligible.

On February 9, 2022, Chief United States District Judge Glenn Suddaby of Syracuse, New York will sentence Mr. Kravitz before receiving Social Security Income (SSI), a needs-based program which provides money to elderly and disabled individuals.

Early Life and Education

George Rawda was born on September 30th 1952 in Utica, New York to Asaad and Hawa Rawda. He is married to Marcelle Giangi and they have three children.

George was a doctor and board-certified pediatrician by the American Board of Pediatrics. He was affiliated with Advocate Children’s Hospital, Advocate Christ Medical Center and John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County as well as being a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. George earned his medical degree from Faculty of Medicine in Damascus, Syria before earning his fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology from Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Survived by his wife and children; predeceased by parents and siblings

Professional Career

George Rawda was a celebrated former Utica, NY attorney who earned himself national recognition in criminal defense. Since moving to Liverpool, New York, George enjoys playing cards and gardening.

In February this year, Rawda was found guilty of concealing information from the Social Security Administration to fraudulently obtain Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for a family member who otherwise wasn’t eligible. SSI is a needs-based program designed to assist elderly, blind, or disabled individuals obtain financial assistance. A representative payee is an individual or organization who agrees to accept and use SSI on behalf of a beneficiary – most commonly those who are blind or severely mentally handicapped.

Achievements and Honors

George Rawda was an accomplished and dedicated veteran who set out to learn the intricacies of the social security system. As a representative payee, his role involved handling benefits on behalf of qualified beneficiaries.

In the end, Rawda pled guilty to concealing facts in order to defraud the Social Security Administration into paying Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to a family member who wasn’t otherwise eligible. As part of his deal, he was sentenced to five years in federal prison, a fine up to $250,000 and supervised release for up to three years.

Surviving are his wife, Marcelle Giangi Rawda; children Christine Rawda and Norman Rawda of Liverpool; grandchildren Noah, Luke, and Jasmine Wieczorek of Liverpool; as well as many friends.

Personal Life

George Rawda was a loving husband and father, as well as an avid New York Yankees fan. Survived by his wife Marcelle (Giangi) Rawda; children Christine, Norman, Lori Rawda all of Liverpool; grandchildren Michael Noah and Luke Wieczorek; parents Asaad & Hawa Rawda; brothers Naeem, Adel and Joseph Rawda; plus sister Naomi Sageer who passed away in 2013.

George Rawda has pled guilty to taking more than 52 thousand dollars in Social Security benefits on behalf of a family member living outside the US. If found guilty, he faces up to five years in prison, a fine and supervised release. This case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General; prosecuted by Acting United States Attorney Antoinettte Bacon and Special Agent in Charge John F. Grasso from SSA Field Office, New York.