SSA OIG Weekly News Roundup
Below are the latest SSA OIG news releases. Visit oig.ssa.gov for additional updates.
Former Haverhill Man Charged with Receiving Stolen Government Money
Christopher D. Leon, 56, formerly of Haverhill, has been charged in federal court with receiving approximately $87,817 in stolen Social Security disability benefits from November 2019 to August 2025. He faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and substantial fines if convicted.
Guam Man Sentenced for Theft of Government Property After Stealing Deceased Wife's Social Security Benefits
Joseph Benavente Wusstig, 59, of Yigo, Guam, was sentenced to six months in prison and three years of supervised release for theft of government property after unlawfully receiving $58,248 in Social Security disability benefits intended for his deceased wife. Wusstig, who served as her representative payee, failed to report her death in August 2018 and continued to access the benefits until December 2023. He was also ordered to pay full restitution, a forfeiture money judgment, and a special assessment fee.
Jury Convicts Unknown Man for Using Identity of Deceased Child to Obtain Government Benefits
After a three-day trial in Pocatello, a federal jury found a man whose true identity remains unknown guilty of wire fraud, theft of government funds, aggravated identity theft, and related charges. The defendant used the identity of Carlos Ramon Obregon, who died in 1977, to fraudulently obtain approximately $283,000 in government benefits—including SSI, Medicaid, SNAP, and Economic Impact Payments—over more than two decades. He also obtained a U.S. passport and Idaho state IDs using Obregon’s identity.
Reidsville Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Deceased Relative's Disability Checks
Danny Alan Guyton, 53, of Reidsville, Georgia, has pleaded guilty to theft of government money after cashing Social Security disability payments intended for his deceased father-in-law from June 2021 to April 2025. Guyton fraudulently received approximately $60,170, using the funds for personal expenses. He faces up to 10 years in prison, substantial fines, restitution, and supervised release. Sentencing will be scheduled following a presentence investigation.
Barre Woman Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud
A Barre woman, Jennifer Valley, pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing over $100,000 in Social Security benefits intended for a deceased beneficiary. Valley, who had been appointed as the beneficiary’s representative payee, failed to report the death and continued to collect and misrepresent the use of funds from October 2022 through August 2025. Sentencing is scheduled for August 28, 2026, and she faces up to 10 years in prison and significant fines.
Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Benefit Fraud and Identity Theft Offenses
Juan Felipe Chalas, a Dominican national unlawfully residing in Salem, N.H., pleaded guilty to identity theft and fraudulently obtaining a U.S. passport and federally funded benefits in Massachusetts. Chalas used the identity of an American citizen from Puerto Rico to secure passports and state IDs, and fraudulently received SNAP, Social Security disability, and MassHealth benefits totaling over $300,000. He faces one year of incarceration, two years of supervised release, and must pay restitution. Sentencing is scheduled for September 8, 2026.
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Charge in Connection with Disability Benefits Scam
Andrew Langford, 50, of Ft. Washington, Maryland, pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud for illegally receiving over $270,000 in Social Security disability benefits from 2014 to 2021. Langford concealed his ownership of two cleaning businesses and failed to report his employment and income to the Social Security Administration, as required. He faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for September 1.
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