This news is shocking. None of us wish ill times on anyone in our sphere.
The Super Bowl is an interesting time to float old but recent stories that may have been temporarily hidden from view, but then mysterious items do sometimes air during the biggest football sporting event of the year.
Tonight, I was sent word that Peter Byrne, well-known Yeti and Bigfoot seeker and author, ran into legal trouble a few months ago.
Interestingly, I heard from Peter on December 12, 2013, out of the blue, saying he wished to “put behind us some of the misunderstandings we reluctantly shared in recent years.” (I won’t go into our detailed history, but Byrne’s untrue claim I inappropriately took his slides versus the truth that he loaned them to me and asked me to be his agent with a television program, was unfortunate. The publishing of my book in 1989, on Tom Slick, turned out to have benefited Byrne greatly.)
In light of what is being revealed tonight, across the Internet and Facebook, we all have to make our own judgment about what this Peter Byrne news reveals.
I shall post the following two articles, without further comment. These two are official Justice Department “for immediate release” documents.
August 19, 2013
PORTLAND, Ore. – A former resident of Pacific City pleaded guilty in
federal court today to stealing more than $70,000 from the Social
Security Administration (SSA), the Oregon Department of Human Services
(DHS), and Medicaid. Peter C. Byrne, 87, admitted before U.S. District
Court Judge Garr M. King that between 1992 and 2012, he concealed from
SSA and DHS his travels outside the United States and his compensation,
while receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and food stamps.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 3, 2013, at 10:30 a.m.
According to documents filed by the government and Byrne’s admissions
today, Byrne began receiving SSI in 1990 and was required to report to
SSA certain travel outside the United States, as well as his income and
compensation. Between 1992 and 2012, Byrne traveled outside the U.S.
for more than 30 days at least 15 times, on some occasions remaining
outside the U.S. for more than four months. Between 2009 and 2012,
Byrne also maintained bank accounts with Barclays of England and Wells
Fargo where he held more than $85,000 at one time, and failed to
disclose these bank accounts to SSA and DHS. When Byrne was questioned
by SSA and investigators in 2012, he failed to disclose all of his
travels and assets. When SSA asked to see his passport, Byrne advised
that he had accidentally destroyed his passport by running it through
the washing machine.
The plea agreement requires Byrne to pay restitution to SSA, DHS, and
Health and Human Services. Byrne has deposited $25,000 with the court
to be applied towards restitution immediately following sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office
of Inspector General, Office of Investigations. It is being prosecuted
by Special Assistant United States Attorney Helen L. Cooper, as part of
a partnership venture between the Social Security Administration Office
of General Counsel and the United States Attorney’s Office.”
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December 05, 2013
PORTLAND, Ore. – A former resident of Pacific City was sentenced in
federal court on December 3, 2013, for stealing more than $78,000 from
the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Oregon Department of Human
Services (DHS), and Medicaid. Peter C. Byrne, 88, was sentenced to a
three year term of probation and required to pay full restitution by the
end of the week. Byrne pleaded guilty in August and admitted that
between 1992 and 2012 he concealed from SSA and DHS his travels outside
the United States and his compensation, while receiving Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) and food stamps. Byrne had previously deposited
$25,000 with the court for restitution and indicated he was prepared to
pay the full balance by the end of the day.
According to documents filed by the government and Byrne’s admissions,
Byrne began receiving SSI, a need-based benefit, in 1990 and was
required to report to SSA certain travel outside the United States as
well as his income and compensation. Between 1992 and 2012, Byrne
traveled outside the U.S. for more than 30 days at least 15 times, on
some occasions remaining outside the U.S. for more than four months.
Between 2009 and 2012, Byrne also maintained bank accounts with Barclays
of England and Wells Fargo where he held more than $85,000 at one time,
and failed to disclose these bank accounts to SSA and DHS. When Byrne
was questioned by SSA and investigators in 2012, he failed to disclose
all of his travels and assets. When SSA asked to see his passport, Byrne
advised that he had accidentally destroyed his passport by running it
through the washing machine.
Investigators subsequently served a search warrant at Byrne’s residence
and located financial and travel records, and his Will. Byrne urged that
the Will be kept confidential because he feared the Social Security
Administration would come after his estate for benefits he unlawfully
received. Agents also located a copy of a letter from Byrne to Safari
Press directing that any future royalties for his published books be
sent to his girlfriend. Byrne had previously been questioned by
investigators whether he was receiving royalties for the books he had
written on topics such as his search for Bigfoot and game-hunting in
Nepal. Byrne denied receiving royalties.
Prosecutors also noted that in the 1990s, Byrne had two previous
overpayments of SSI because of unreported travel and assets. Those prior
overpayments had been handled administratively by SSA.
The Honorable Garr M. King stated that Byrne’s actions had been
intentional and criminal, but agreed with the parties’ recommended
sentence of probation primarily because of Byrne’s age.
The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office
of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services, the Oregon Department of Human Services, and
the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Special
Assistant United States Attorney Helen L. Cooper, as part of a
partnership venture between the Social Security Administration Office of
General Counsel and the United States Attorney’s Office in Portland.”
Thanks to Steven Streufert for these documents.
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