Kenneth Riel, Social Security Fraud, Massachusetts 2023

Winthrop Man Charged with Social Security Fraud

BOSTON, Massachusetts - Kenneth Riel, 51, was arrested today for Social Security fraud over a period of more than four years.

As alleged in the Indictment, Riel received approximately $88,383 in stolen Social Security retirement benefits from February 2019 through November 2023. Additionally, Riel allegedly concealed and failed to report to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that an individual receiving retirement benefits had died so that he could fraudulently receive the improper benefit payments.

The charges against Riel include one count of receiving stolen government money or property and one count of Social Security fraud-concealment. The charge of receiving stolen government money or property provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of Social Security fraud-concealment provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

Riel was arrested today and released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston this afternoon.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the SSA Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/winthrop-man-charged-receiving-stolen-government-money-and-social-security-fraud