⏱ 2 min read
Christopher D. Leon, a 56-year-old former Haverhill man, pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to receiving approximately $87,817 in stolen Social Security disability benefits over a period of more than five years. The scam began in November 2019 and continued until August 2025. Leon lived with the applicant for Social Security disability benefits at the time of her death and used her debit card to access the improperly paid funds through ATM cash withdrawals each month.
According to the statement of agreed facts, the Social Security Administration (SSA) mailed a notice of award to Leon’s address after the beneficiary’s death. Once the Social Security benefits began to be paid via direct deposit to the decedent’s bank account, Leon used the deceased beneficiary’s debit card to access the funds.
The charge of receiving stolen government money or property carries 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. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for September 23, 2026.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit and is part of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley to combat rampant fraud in Massachusetts.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Defendant: Massachusetts
- Location: MA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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