To many, Samuel Aaron Brabson was known as a triathlete known for taking women on long hikes in the mountains as a means to seduce them. To others, Brabson was known as a sympathetic victim of a tragic accident who was bound to a wheelchair.

Now, to the Commonwealth of Virgina, Brabson is known as "inmate."

Brabson, a resident of Henrico County, was arrested by Virginia State Police in 2006 after an investigation revealed he was fraudulently receiving goods and services from the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS). Brabson blamed a 2005 car accident for aggravating previous neck injuries received in a 2001 crash when he was hit from behind by a truck.

After the 2005 accident, Brabson, who claimed to be wheelchair-bound, was receiving assistance from DRS; a church provided him with a handicap-accessible van; he was receiving help from Meals-on-Wheels, as well as assistance from others in the community. Brabson also made a $1.2 million claim against his insurance company, Amica.

During the trial in May, however, surveillance videos showed a man capable of mountain climbing, lifting groceries from the trunk of a car, and mowing a lawn. Brabson also ran the 8k in the Richmond Times-Dispatch Marathon in Nov. 2007.

After a four-day trial in May, 34-year-old Brabson was found guilty of defrauding the DRS of more than $26,000 and attempting to defraud an insurance company out of $1.2 million.

In the sentencing hearing, the prosecutor said Brabson took advantage of other people's sympathy, made a mockery of the system, and deceived the people who trusted him.

Brabson was sentenced to 10 years - one year in jail with nine years suspended on the fraud charge - and 10 years suspended on the attempt charge. Brabson will also have to make full restitution to DRS in the amount of $26,621.59. Brabson is appealing.

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Fraud of the Week: Playing the Victim

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