Man Accused of Orchestrating Veterans Benefits Scam

STAFFORD, CT - A Stafford man is accused of scamming area veterans out of money in a fake benefits investment scheme, state police said.

John Simon, 69, of Stafford, was charged with two counts of second-degree larceny and a single count of third-degree larceny in the case, state police said.

• To sign up for Tolland breaking news alerts and more, click here.

The charges represent three confirmed successful scams, based on victim testimony, state police said.

A complaint was lodged on June 27 and detectives immediately began investigating the case, according to a warrant. Simon is accused of convincing several veterans to invest $2,000 in a fund that would render social security or federal Veterans Affairs benefits.

Simon appears to be wearing a military shirt in his booking mug shot.

State police investigators consulted the Internal Revenue Service and Veterans affairs officials in the matter, according to a warrant.

Photo Credit: state police.