Guam Man Sentenced for Theft of Government Property After Stealing Deceased Wife’s Social Security Benefits
Districts of Guam & the Northern Mariana Islands
SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Joseph Benavente Wusstig, age 59, from Yigo, Guam was sentenced to six months imprisonment for Theft of Government Property, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 641. The Court also ordered three years of supervised release, $58,248 restitution to the Social Security Administration, forfeiture money judgment of $58,248, and a $100 special assessment fee.
From September 2018 to December 31, 2023, Wusstig unlawfully received $58,248 in disability benefits for his wife from the Social Security Administration (“SSA”). Wusstig had served as a representative payee for his wife. After she died in August 2018, Wusstig never informed the SSA and continued to receive and spend the benefits intended for his wife. SSA paid the disability benefits through direct deposit to a joint account held in their names. Wusstig accessed the funds primarily through ATM withdrawals and Point of Sale purchases made at convenience stores, restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations.
“The Social Security Administration provides disability insurance benefits to people who have a disability that stops or limits their ability to work and who have a sufficient work history,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “The loss of a family member, however, should not become an opportunity for unjust enrichment at taxpayer expense. Maintaining the viability of this important program is worthy of criminal enforcement action. We will continue to do so in an effort to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.”
“Social Security disability benefits are intended to provide critical support to eligible beneficiaries, not to be exploited for personal gain,” said Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General for Audit as First Assistant for the SSA Office of the Inspector General. “We will continue to aggressively pursue those who misuse federal benefit programs and safeguard the public’s trust in the Social Security Administration.”
This investigation was led by the SSA – Office of the Inspector General and prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Marivic P. David for the District of Guam.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.