This was published 8 years ago
US man admits earning nearly $200,000 in benefits by not reporting aunt’s death for 20 years
AP
New Jersey man faces 10 years in prison for fraud. Photo: Getty
A New Jersey man has admitted not reporting his great aunt's death to the government in order to collect nearly $185,000 in Social Security benefits for almost 20 years.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito says 56-year-old Lance Nelson pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Trenton.
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NJ.com reports Nelson, who worked as an assistant zoning officer for Perth Amboy through the end of 2017, faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
He is to be sentenced April 17.
Prosecutors say the Social Security Administration was unaware of Nelson's great aunt's death in 1998 and continued sending monthly benefits to a joint account he had access to until February 2016.
