stealing from Social Security Cookie Jar leads to arrest

"NEWARK, N.J. – A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man charged with stealing his late great aunt’s Social Security benefits for 18 years made his initial court appearance today, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.

Lance Nelson, 56, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with stealing $184,936 in benefits from the Social Security Administration between 1998 and 2016. Nelson appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steven C. Mannion in Newark federal court.

According to the complaint:

Nelson’s great aunt received Social Security benefits, which were sent to a joint bank account that she shared with Nelson at Bank of America. In February 1998, Nelson’s great aunt died, and the Social Security Administration, unaware of her death, continued to issue her monthly retirement benefits. From March 1998 until February 2016, the Social Security Administration sent $184,936 to the joint account.  Nelson, who was not entitled to receive his great aunt’s retirement benefits, used the money for his own benefit. Between August 2009 and March 2016, Nelson caused $52,367 to be transferred from the joint account into Nelson’s individual savings and checking accounts. He also used ATMs to withdraw approximately $30,000 from the joint account between April 2011 and October 2015. Since at least 1998, Nelson earned $36,868 to $64,272 per year as an assistant zoning officer for the City of Perth Amboy.

The theft of federal funds charge carries a maximum potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss associated with the offense.

Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents with the Social Security Administration - Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John F. Grasso of the New York Field Division, with the investigation leading to the charge.  

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cari Fais of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division in Newark."

What was he thinking that he would never get caught? Also it shows you the govt does not check to whom it is sending their money too. Imagine they are sending money to a dead person for almost 18 years. Shows you the govt was sleeping on this one. This is a separate investigation.

In any event, this is what Mr. Nelson can expect in federal prison if he is sentenced to prison....

https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons-ebook/dp/B011GTWLOG

https://www.amazon.com/PRISON-expect-Federal-Bureau-Prisons/dp/1520483988