Buffalo Man Sentenced for Stealing Social Security Benefits

BUFFALO, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Joseph Packer, Jr., 64, of Buffalo, N.Y., who was convicted of theft of public money, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny, to time served and two years supervised release. The defendant was ordered to wear and ankle bracelet for eight months and pay restitution in the amount of $160,101.

            Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie P. Grisanti, who handled the case, stated that in 2000, Packer failed to notify the Social Security Administration of his father's death. As a result, social security checks continued to be issued for the defendant's father until 2012. The benefits were deposited into a joint savings account shared by Packer and his father. The defendant withdrew the money and spent it. Packer stole a total of  $160,101.

            The plea was the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Social Security Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Edward J. Ryan, Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.