Somerset Man Stole $600K In Benefits Meant For His Dead Father

SOMERSET, NJ — After a Somerset County man's father died 20 years ago, he admitted to pretending his dad was still alive to steal more than $600,000 in federal benefits, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Steven Jones, 66, of Somerset, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to an information charging him with conversion of federal funds.

Jones' father received several federal retirement benefits before he died in October 2004.

After Jones's father died, Jones intentionally falsified his father’s death certificate so that the federal agencies would continue to issue the retirement benefits, according to documents filed in this case and statements made in court.

On two occasions, Jones had a person impersonate his father to a federal agency so that the agency would think his father was still alive and continue payments, according to authorities.

The investigation found that Jones unlawfully collected these payments for nearly 20 years, from October 2004 to December 2023.

Jones faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for April 21, 2025.

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