Hartford Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing $372K From Government: Feds

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to fraudulently collecting nearly $372,000 in Social Security, unemployment, and food stamp benefits he wasn't entitled to.

Marc. H. Silverman, acting U.S. attorney for Connecticut, said Ricardo Santiago, 59, of Hartford, pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court in Hartford to a fraud related to a scheme to fraudulently obtain Social Security, unemployment, and food stamp benefits.

Santiago was arrested on May 7, 2024, Silverman said.

According to court documents and statements in court, between 2002 and 2024, Santiago held jobs with more than 20 employers and earned income totaling more than $580,000.

Silverman said Santiago concealed his income from federal and state government agencies by providing employers with false identification, including a Social Security number and card belonging to another individual, and, in at least one instance, a false Social Security card.

In 2002, Santiago applied for Retirement Survivors Disability Insurance (RSDI) benefits, representing to the Social Security Administration he was unable to work due to disability, authorities said.

As a result, officials said he began receiving RSDI payments in September 2002.

In 2017, Santiago completed paperwork to maintain his benefits, asserting he remained disabled and had not worked for the past two years, Silverman said.

Santiago ultimately collected more than $316,000 in RSDI payments to which he was not entitled, he said.

In February 2017, Santiago submitted to the Connecticut Department of Social Services (CT-DSS) an application for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (aka "Food Stamps”).

According to Silverman, Santiago told the CT-DSS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture that he earned no income from employment.

As a result, officials said he began receiving SNAP benefits in March 2017 and subsequently completed forms to renew his SNAP benefits where he, again, claimed he had no change in his income and he earned no money from employment.

Santiago made more than $18,000 in purchases with SNAP benefits to which he was not entitled, Silverman said.

In April 2020, Santiago applied to the Connecticut Department of Labor (CT-DOL) for unemployment insurance benefits, he said.

On the application, Santiago used a Social Security number belonging to another individual, and he told the CT-DOL and U.S. Department of Labor that he was unemployed but available for work and physically able to work, federal officials said.

He subsequently completed weekly certifications making the same representations, according to Silverman.

From April 2020 through February 2021, Santiago received more than $36,000 in payments to which he was not entitled, he said.

Santiago has agreed to pay restitution of $371,686.

Santiago pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

He is released on a $25,000 bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for May 22.

For the full announcement, click on this link.