Wagoner Race Horse Owner Found Guilty In Social Security Fraud Case

NewsOn6.com

MUSKOGEE, OK -- A Wagoner man who earned about $400,000 in 2007 but collected disability payments during the same time period has been found guilty of making false statements, according to a release by Sheldon Sperling, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

Sheldon says Sparky Joe Mullins, 59, "made materially false statements" to the Social Security Administration and collected about $50,000 in disability income.

Although Mullins said he had not worked since 1996 and had no income, he actually operated a ranch and raced his own race horses earning about $400,000, Sperling said.

His horse, Country Chicks Man, was selected Horse of the Meeting at a quarter horse event at Remington Park in June of 2007.

Sperling said Mullins made the false statements in July of 2007.

6/9/2007 Related Story: Country Chicks Man Named Remington Park's Top Horse

A federal jury found Mullins guilty on Wednesday. The sentence is expected to be 10 to 16 months.

Mullins has been released on bond.