Connecticut Man Sentenced to Probation for Illegally Receiving Social Security Benefits

Press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Connecticut, here

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN FRANCIS WILLIAMS, 58, of Montville, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to three years of probation for illegally receiving Social Security benefits.  As part of his sentence, WILLIAMS was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $42,156.20

According to court documents and statements made in court, the defendant’s birth name was Russell Fithian.  Sometime prior to 1993, the defendant obtained the Social Security card and birth certificate of a John Francis Williams.  In 1993, the defendant applied for and received a replacement Social Security card in the name of John Francis Williams.  Thereafter, he used the name John Francis Williams.

In August 2009, the defendant applied for Social Security retirement income benefits under the name of John Francis Williams, who would have turned 62 that year and had reached eligible retirement age.   The defendant was 54 at the time of his application and was not eligible for retirement benefits under his true identity.  The defendant thereafter received monthly benefits, totaling $42,156.20, until February 2013.

In 2013, the defendant legally changed his name to John Francis Williams.

On October 8, 2013, WILLIAMS pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property.

This matter was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Felice Duffy.     

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHN FRANCIS WILLIAMS, 58, of Montville, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to three years of probation for illegally receiving Social Security benefits.  As part of his sentence, WILLIAMS was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $42,156.20

According to court documents and statements made in court, the defendant’s birth name was Russell Fithian.  Sometime prior to 1993, the defendant obtained the Social Security card and birth certificate of a John Francis Williams.  In 1993, the defendant applied for and received a replacement Social Security card in the name of John Francis Williams.  Thereafter, he used the name John Francis Williams.

In August 2009, the defendant applied for Social Security retirement income benefits under the name of John Francis Williams, who would have turned 62 that year and had reached eligible retirement age.   The defendant was 54 at the time of his application and was not eligible for retirement benefits under his true identity.  The defendant thereafter received monthly benefits, totaling $42,156.20, until February 2013.

In 2013, the defendant legally changed his name to John Francis Williams.

On October 8, 2013, WILLIAMS pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government property.

This matter was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Felice Duffy.