Prison For Ex-Perth Amboy Zoning Officer Who Stole SS Benefits

PERTH AMBOY, NJ — A former assistant zoning officer for the city of Perth Amboy was sentenced Thursday to 12 months and one day in prison for stealing Social Security benefits that were mistakenly paid to his deceased great aunt, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Lance D. Nelson, 56, previously pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds. Nelson’s great aunt received Social Security retirement benefits that were sent to a joint bank account that she shared with Nelson. The Social Security Administration, unaware of her death in February 1998, continued to issue her monthly retirement benefits.

This continued from February 1998 until 2016, police said. Nelson admitted he took the money for nearly 19 years.

Nelson admitted that he intentionally failed to notify the Social Security Administration of her death so that he could continue to receive her benefits.

Photo of Nelson when he worked for the city of Perth Amboy: http://www.amboyguardian.com/2...

In total, Nelson admitted that he took $184,936 in Social Security benefits to which he was not entitled.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Thompson sentenced Nelson to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $184,936.

Nelson no longer works for the city of Perth Amboy.