Newburyport Man Sentenced To 10 Months In Prison For Social Security Fraud

BOSTON - A Newburyport man was sentenced today for theft of public money.

John Flaherty, 61, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 10 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $168,830 in restitution to the Social Security Administration. In June 2013, Flaherty pleaded guilty to theft of public money.

From 1999 to 2012, Flaherty took monthly Social Security Widow's benefits intended for his mother, who was deceased. The payments totaled $168,830.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Scott Antolik, Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration, Office of Investigations – Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The case was prosecuted by Timothy Landry of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.