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Local Man Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Over $600,000 in Public Benefits
A Somerset County, New Jersey man has been sentenced to prison for stealing over $600,000 in benefit payments from the Social Security Administration and the United States Department of Defense. Steven Jones, 66, of Somerset, New Jersey, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for his crimes.
According to court documents, Jones’ father received several federal retirement benefits before he died in October 2004. However, Jones continued to collect these payments for nearly 20 years by falsifying his father’s death certificate and impersonating his father on two occasions to federal agencies. The investigation revealed that Jones unlawfully collected these payments from October 2004 to December 2023.
The total amount stolen by Jones is approximately $691,465.44. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch sentenced Jones to two years of supervised release and ordered him to pay the full amount of restitution.
The investigation was led by special agents of the Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chana Zuckier and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Abrams.
Jones’ defense counsel was Steven Altman, Esq. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, with Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announcing the sentencing.
The sentencing took place on July 25, 2025, in Trenton federal court. This case is a reminder of the importance of protecting public funds and the consequences of stealing from government programs.
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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