Connecticut Man Admits Receiving More than $90,000 in Social Security Disability Benefits Made to Deceased Mother

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that PAUL WIEGMAN, 54, of Norwalk, pleaded guilty on Friday, July 20, before United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to one count of theft of government property.  The charge stems from WIEGMAN’s illegal receipt of his mother’s Social Security benefits after she had died.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2002, WIEGMAN’s mother, who had been receiving Social Security Retirement Insurance Benefit and Widow’s Benefit payments, died in her residence.  WIEGMAN, who lived with his mother, did not notify any authorities about his mother’s death.  From December 2002 until April 2010, WIEGMAN received and used a total of $90,188 in Social Security benefit payments that had been deposited into his mother’s bank account.

WIEGMAN also made several false statements to Social Security Administration officials investigating this matter, including that his mother was still alive but was unable to speak, and that she was alive and living with a family friend.

Judge Underhill has scheduled sentencing for October 3, 2012, at which time WIEGMAN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and an order of restitution. 

This case is being investigated by the Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Felice Duffy.