TRENTON, N.J. — A Somerset County man has been sentenced to just over a year in federal prison after fraudulently collecting nearly $700,000 in government benefits by impersonating his deceased father for almost two decades, federal prosecutors said.
Steven Jones, 66, of Somerset, was sentenced July 25 in Trenton federal court to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay full restitution of $691,465.44.
Jones pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of theft of public money. According to prosecutors, Jones’ father had received federal retirement benefits prior to his death in October 2004. Instead of notifying authorities, Jones falsified the death certificate and continued to collect the benefits through fraudulent means.
On at least two occasions, Jones arranged for someone to impersonate his father during interactions with a federal agency to deceive officials into believing he was still alive.
Federal investigators found that the scheme persisted for nearly 20 years, with payments issued through December 2023.
The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba credited special agents under Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly for their work on the case.
