Martha’s Vineyard Man Sentenced To Prison For Stealing Public Money

A Martha's Vineyard man has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for stealing Social Security benefits and falsifying his 2010 tax return.

Sixty-three year old Vernon Harris of Oak Bluffs must also repay $160,000 to the Social Security Administration, and $21,000 to the Internal Revenue Service.

Harris was sentenced Thursday in U.S. Federal Court in Boston. Last December, Harris pleaded guilty to theft of public money and tax evasion.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says Harris illegally collected disability benefits while running a trucking firm out of his home. Officials say he also falsified information on his 2010 Federal Income Tax return.