HARTFORD, CT – Ricardo Santiago, 58, of Hartford, is facing serious federal charges after a grand jury indicted him on three counts of wire fraud. The indictment alleges Santiago spent two decades systematically defrauding the Social Security Administration, Connecticut’s unemployment system, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.
According to the indictment, returned May 1, 2024, Santiago raked in over $500,000 in earnings from various jobs between 2002 and 2024 – while simultaneously claiming disability and collecting benefits he wasn’t entitled to. He allegedly used false identification, including a stolen Social Security number and a forged card, to conceal his income from the agencies.
The scheme began in 2002 when Santiago applied for Retirement Survivors Disability Insurance (RSDI), falsely claiming he was unable to work. He continued to collect RSDI payments, even falsely affirming his disability in 2017 despite actively working. The indictment details over $300,000 in fraudulently obtained RSDI payments. He then allegedly extended his deception to SNAP benefits in 2017, lying about his employment status to secure $17,000 in purchases he wasn’t eligible for.
As if that weren’t enough, Santiago allegedly applied for Unemployment Insurance benefits in April 2020, again using someone else’s Social Security number and falsely stating he was unemployed and able to work. This netted him more than $35,000 in undeserved payments through February 2021. Santiago pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a $25,000 bond following his appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish.
If convicted on all counts, Santiago faces a maximum of 20 years in prison per count. U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery cautioned that an indictment is not proof of guilt and that Santiago is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This investigation is a joint effort between multiple federal Inspector General offices: Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Department of Transportation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan J. Guevremont is prosecuting the case. This isn’t just about money; it’s about a blatant disregard for the system and a theft from those who genuinely rely on these vital programs. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds.
Related Federal Cases
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- Hartford Man Nabbed for $652K Social Security, Unemployment, Food Stamp Scam · Connecticut
- Hartford Amazon Manager Pilfers $50K in Tech · Connecticut
- Tolland Man Accused of $6.7M Tax & Benefits Scam · Connecticut
- New Hartford Woman Sentenced for Tax Fraud and Structuring Offenses · Connecticut
Key Facts
- State: Connecticut
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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