Chiropractor, former boxing judge sentenced for Social Security fraud

By Steve Kanigher

Monday, June 6, 2011 | 2:14 p.m.

A federal judge today issued an 18-month prison sentence to a Las Vegas man who fraudulently collected more than $400,000 in Social Security disability benefits while working as a chiropractor and boxing judge, Nevada's U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden said.

Paul G. Smith, 66, was also ordered by U.S. District Judge Philip Pro to pay $435,674 in restitution. Smith pleaded guilty Aug. 26 to one count of Social Security fraud.

Smith received Social Security disability benefits from September 1994 to December 2005, based on a claim he filed stating that a back injury had affected his ability to work as a chiropractor. While receiving those benefits, Smith continued to act as the owner and manager of Rainbow Chiropractic Center in Las Vegas.

Smith also worked as a licensed boxing judge in Nevada from 1987 to 2007, judging 189 fights and receiving $133,025 in income. Smith failed to provide information about his employment to the Social Security Administration for the purpose of defrauding the government, officials said.

Smith was permitted to self-report to prison by July 20.

The case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General for the Social Security Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Schiess and Rob MacDonald.