A Long Island man's social media flexing may end up costing him his freedom. New York Attorney General Letitia James on Tuesday announced the arrest of 40-year-old Raymond Phillips, who is accused of collecting more than $100,000 in federal disability benefits while competing in weightlifting events and posting gym videos online, Fox News reports.
Prosecutors say Phillips claimed a 2018 weightlifting injury left him unable to work or perform basic tasks, leading to his disability payments being approved in 2021. Yet between 2021 and 2024, he allegedly shared images and videos of himself bench pressing and squatting, and continued working as a personal trainer, according to the Social Security Administration's inspector general. Phillips faces charges including second-degree grand larceny; a conviction on that count could bring up to 15 years in prison.
Videos on Facebook and Instagram show Phillips taking part in weightlifting competitions, "despite his claims that he could not lift his dominant left arm and had difficulty squatting, bending, and standing," James' office said. His social media accounts have now been deleted. Authorities say he continued to collect benefits through October 2025, News 12 reports. Phillips "shamelessly collected benefits meant for disabled New Yorkers while boasting his weightlifting achievements on social media," James said in a statement. "My office has no tolerance for fraudsters who cheat the system and steal from programs that are a lifeline for New Yorkers in need."
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
