South Jersey Man Used Dead Infant's ID To Defraud Government: Feds

FRANKLINVILLE, NJ — A Gloucester County man admitted to using a dead infant's identity to fraudulently obtain more than $200,000 in Social Security and Medicaid benefits.

For nearly 15 years, Dennis Gaudette defrauded the government programs by using the identity of a baby who died in 1944, according to court documents. He now faces prison time after pleading guilty to Social Security fraud Monday in Camden federal court.

It's unclear whether Gaudette had any other affiliation with the infant — identified in court documents as "D.K." Gaudette, 72, of Franklinville, was born eight years after D.K. died.

Between 2009 and March 2023, Gaudette used D.K.'s identity to collect $85,322.50 in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The SSI program is funded by general taxes, rather than the Social Security Trust Fund.

While posing as D.K. during that time, Gaudette also received $88,993 in state Medicaid benefits and $43,464 in Social Security retirement income, according to court documents.

Gaudette's actual age, income and resources made him unqualified for the programs, authorities said.

The fraud charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross profits or loss — whichever is greatest. Sentencing is set for Oct. 15.