NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — A Gloucester County man admitted Monday to Social Security fraud.
According to New Jersey District Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, 72-year-old Dennis Gaudette used a dead person’s identity in March 2009 to apply for and receive Social Security and Medicaid benefits. From 2009-2023, Gaudette received nearly $44,000 in Social Security Retirement Income Benefits and more than $85,300 in Supplemental Security Income benefits.
During that stretch, the state of New Jersey paid him nearly $90,000 in Medicaid benefits for medical care, testing and medications he received under the false identity.
Officials say Gaudette never disclosed he was ineligible for these benefits, adding that his actual age, income, and resources did not qualify him for those programs.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 15.
Social Security fraud charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.