Juan Baez, Misusing Social Security Number and Making False Statement, Massachusetts 2021

BOSTON, MA - Juan Baez, a 57-year-old Dominican national, has pleaded guilty to misusing a social security number and making false statements in Massachusetts.

According to court documents, Baez used the identity of a Puerto Rican citizen to obtain Massachusetts driver's licenses and identification cards. He also used the identity to apply for and receive MassHealth benefits, resulting in approximately $18,977 in federally funded benefits that he was not entitled to.

As part of his plea agreement, Baez pleaded guilty to one count of false representation of a social security number and one count of making a false statement relating to health care matters. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for October 4, 2021.

The charge of false representation of a social security number provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of making a false statement relating to health care matters also provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.

The investigation was conducted by the Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General; and the Office of the State Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Burzycki is prosecuting the case.

Baez's crimes have been a major concern for law enforcement and officials in Massachusetts, highlighting the need for vigilance in protecting against social security number misuse and false statements.

The case against Baez is a reminder that such crimes can have serious consequences and that law enforcement is committed to bringing perpetrators to justice.

Defendant's name: Juan Baez

Exact criminal charges: False representation of a social security number and making a false statement relating to health care matters

City and state: Boston, Massachusetts

Exact date: N/A (plea agreement)

Sentence or outcome: Sentencing scheduled for October 4, 2021

Dollar amounts where applicable: Approximately $18,977 in federally funded MassHealth benefits

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/dominican-national-pleads-guilty-misusing-social-security-number-and-making-false