PORTLAND, Maine – Peter Files, 60, of Poland, Maine, is facing the consequences for a decade-long scheme to bilk the government out of benefits he wasn’t entitled to. Files was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 30 months of probation and ordered to pay $45,615.78 in restitution for defrauding Social Security.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen handed down the sentence after Files pleaded guilty on May 8, 2025. The case, built on meticulous record-keeping and dogged investigation, revealed a calculated effort by Files to misrepresent his living situation to the Maine Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS).
For over ten years, court records show, Files repeatedly lied during benefit eligibility reviews. He falsely claimed to be living separately from his wife, deliberately omitting her from his household information provided to Maine DHHS. This wasn’t an oversight; Files knew he was obligated to disclose this information, and understood that doing so could jeopardize his access to benefits. When confronted by federal investigators, Files admitted to living with his wife throughout the period in question.
This isn’t a solitary case. Files’ wife, Susie Files, has already pleaded guilty to Social Security and SNAP fraud on May 19, 2025. She’s scheduled to be sentenced on September 18, 2025, suggesting a coordinated effort to exploit the system. The extent of Susie Files’ involvement remains to be fully detailed at her sentencing hearing.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General and Maine DHHS’s Fraud Investigation and Recovery Unit. Their combined resources were crucial in unraveling the deception and bringing Files to justice. This case serves as a stark reminder that those who attempt to defraud the government will be held accountable.
Grimy Times will continue to follow the sentencing of Susie Files and provide updates as this case unfolds. The total amount of defrauded funds recovered in Maine continues to climb, highlighting the pervasive nature of benefit fraud and the need for continued vigilance.
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Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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