A 50-year-old charter fishing boat captain from Westport, Washington, has entered a guilty plea for Social Security fraud. Derek Gochanour's admission came before the U.S. District Court in Tacoma, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Over several years, Gochanour illegally collected $126,928 in disability benefits while operating a fishing charter, violating the trust of the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, by extension, the taxpayers who fund such programs.
Gochanour was initially granted disability due to mitochondrial myopathy, a muscle disease. In 2003, he was deemed disabled and, shortly after, began receiving SSA benefits. Misleading the SSA, in 2012, Gochanour obtained a waiver from the Coast Guard, which indicated he was capable of handling shipboard tasks after submitting several neurological evaluations.
The misconduct was exposed when it was revealed that, since at least 2015, Gochanour manned a 41-foot charter fishing boat, assisting customers in catching fish off Westport's shores. He never reported these activities or income to the SSA, according to the plea agreement, despite being required by law to do so. The civil settlement agreement further details that Gochanour admitted his ability to work several months a year should have been reported to the SSA, especially after receiving a neurologist's letter stating his capability of performing job duties.
In the plea agreement, documented by the U.S. Attorney's Office, a sentence recommendation has been made for Gochanour to serve three months in prison followed by three months of home detention. Prosecutors hope that the sentencing, scheduled for June 9, 2025, will reflect the gravity of Gochanour’s actions. As part of a civil investigation, caught by the trap laid by the incident, Gochanour has also agreed to repay the government double – a total of $253,856 – to settle the claims against him.
The case was thoroughly investigated by the Social Security Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG) and the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), highlighting the importance of oversight in federal benefit programs. The prosecution of the criminal case is being handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jessica M. Ly, while Assistant United States Attorney Katie Fairchild is managing the civil case. The incident serves as a stern reminder that fraud not only undermines federal assistance programs but also dishonors the individuals who legitimately depend on them for support.
