BOSTON – Nelson Bolivar, 54, a Dominican national residing in Lynn, Massachusetts, has confessed to a calculated scheme of Social Security fraud and aggravated identity theft. Bolivar pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court before U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper, who set his sentencing date for June 20, 2019. The conviction stems from a larger federal crackdown on document and benefit fraud.
The case against Bolivar unfolded during “Double Trouble,” a July 2018 sweep that netted 25 individuals accused of exploiting the system. The investigation, spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), involved a coalition of local, state, and federal agencies dedicated to dismantling fraudulent operations. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment act; it was a deliberate attempt to assume another person’s identity for personal gain.
According to court documents, on July 13, 2015, Bolivar brazenly applied for a Massachusetts Identification Card using the name and Social Security number of a Puerto Rican citizen. He presented what appeared to be legitimate documentation – a Puerto Rican birth certificate and a Social Security card – to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. The RMV, relying on these falsified documents, issued Bolivar an identification card under the stolen identity. He didn’t stop there.
Bolivar further exploited the stolen identity by using the Puerto Rican citizen’s name and Social Security number to illegally obtain MassHealth benefits. This wasn’t merely a case of document forgery; it was a direct theft of benefits intended for a legitimate citizen, adding insult to injury. The DBFTF meticulously untangled the web of deceit, bringing Bolivar’s scheme to light.
The charges against Bolivar carry significant penalties. The false representation of a Social Security number carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft demands a mandatory two-year prison sentence, one year of supervised release, and another $250,000 fine. However, the final sentence will be determined by Judge Casper, considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.
The announcement of Bolivar’s guilty plea was made jointly by a formidable list of federal and state officials, including United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling, and heads of Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Social Security Administration, and several other investigative agencies. The prosecution is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit. This case serves as a stark reminder that identity theft and benefit fraud are serious federal crimes with real consequences.
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Related Federal Cases
- Southie Woman Admits to Social Security Scam · Massachusetts
- Baez Gets 25 Months for ID Theft & Social Security Fraud · Massachusetts
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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