New York Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of Public Money

BUFFALO, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Joseph Packer, Jr., 63, of Buffalo, N.Y., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to theft of public money. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00 or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie P. Grisanti, who handled the case, stated that the defendant failed to notify the Social Security Administration of his father's death, and stole $160,101.00 worth of benefits paid by the Social Security Administration following his father's death. The benefits were directly deposited into a joint savings account Packer held with his father. The defendant then withdrew and spent the money from the bank account.

The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Edward J. Ryan.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 8, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Arcara.