Cedric Newman, Stealing Social Security Benefits, Connecticut 2015

Newington Man Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Social Security Benefits

Cedric Newman, 46, of Newington, Connecticut, has been sentenced to prison for stealing over $200,000 in Social Security benefits that had been deposited into his deceased grandmother’s bank account.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Newman’s grandmother was entitled to receive Social Security Administration monthly benefit payments starting in 1980. The payments were made by direct deposit into a bank checking account. Although Newman’s grandmother passed away in October 1996, the direct deposit payments continued until June 2014.

In March 2011, Newman began accessing the funds in the account to make electronic payments on his credit card. From the time of his grandmother’s death until June 2014, approximately $220,729 of monthly benefit payments, net of Medicare premiums, were directly deposited into her bank account. Newman used $218,079 of the funds for his own benefit.

Newman pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public funds on December 14, 2015. He was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in New Haven to six months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Newman must serve the first three months of his supervised release in home confinement.

Judge Hall ordered Newman to make full restitution to the Social Security Administration. The total amount of restitution is $218,079. The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia Enos King prosecuted it.

Newman’s case highlights the importance of monitoring Social Security benefit payments to prevent exploitation. The Social Security Administration encourages beneficiaries and their representatives to report any suspicious activity or changes in account information.

The case is a reminder that stealing public funds is a serious offense with severe consequences. Newman’s sentence serves as a warning to those who would seek to exploit the system for personal gain.

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