New Bedford Man Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud

BOSTON (WBSM) — A New Bedford man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to fraudulently receiving Social Security disability benefits.

Anthony Patterson, 62, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government money.

Sentencing was scheduled for September 10.

According to charging documents, Patterson collected Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from 2013 to 2023, which are only available to people with limited financial means.

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During two interviews with the Social Security Administration in 2012 and 2022, Patterson made sworn false statements regarding his marital status and living situation to conceal household income and resources.

As a result, he collected $92,582 in SSI benefits that he was ineligible to receive. Patterson was charged in May 2024.

The charge of theft of government money provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years probation and a fine of $250,000