Waterbury Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of Social Security Benefits

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ZIMER KALICI, 55, of Waterbury, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to one count of theft of public money related to his illegal receipt of Social Security benefits.

U.S. Attorney Durham noted that individuals are not eligible for Social Security benefits when they permanently relocate to live outside of the U.S., and eligibility for Social Security benefits terminates upon death.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Kalici’s father, a Social Security benefits recipient, relocated from the U.S. to Macedonia in 2009, and died in January 2010.  Kalici did not report his father’s death to the Social Security Administration and, between 2009 and 2018, deposited approximately $52,417.84 worth of Social Security checks intended for his father into his own personal bank account.

In November 2018, Kalici was interviewed by investigators with the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General (“SSA OIG”).  During the interview, Kalici stated that his father was still alive and had left the U.S. for Macedonia in May 2018.  Kalici subsequently provided SSA OIG with a false funeral internment certificate that represented his father had died on November 26, 2018.

Judge Meyer scheduled sentencing for February 28, 2020, at which time Kalici faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Kalici is released on a $25,000 bond pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret E. Maigret.