HAGÅTÑA – A Yigo man has been sentenced to six months in federal prison and ordered to repay $58,248 after collecting his deceased wife’s Social Security disability benefits for more than five years, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands announced Wednesday.
Joseph Benavente Wusstig, 59, was sentenced for theft of government property in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 641. In addition to the prison term, the court ordered three years of supervised release, $58,248 in restitution to the Social Security Administration, a forfeiture money judgment of $58,248, and a $100 special assessment.
Wusstig had served as a representative payee for his wife’s Social Security disability benefits. After she died in August 2018, Wusstig never informed the Social Security Administration and continued to receive and spend the deposits from September 2018 through December 31, 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The benefits were paid by direct deposit into a joint account held in both their names. Wusstig accessed the funds primarily through ATM withdrawals and point-of-sale purchases at convenience stores, restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations, the office said.
U.S. Attorney Shawn N. Anderson said the case is part of a broader push to protect federal disability programs from fraud.
“The Social Security Administration provides disability insurance benefits to people who have a disability that stops or limits their ability to work and who have a sufficient work history,” Anderson said. “The loss of a family member, however, should not become an opportunity for unjust enrichment at taxpayer expense. Maintaining the viability of this important program is worthy of criminal enforcement action. We will continue to do so in an effort to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.”
Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General for Audit and First Assistant for the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, said the office will continue pursuing those who exploit federal benefit programs.
“Social Security disability benefits are intended to provide critical support to eligible beneficiaries, not to be exploited for personal gain,” she said. “We will continue to aggressively pursue those who misuse federal benefit programs and safeguard the public’s trust in the Social Security Administration.”
The investigation was led by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Marivic P. David for the District of Guam.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the creation of its National Fraud Enforcement Division on April 7, with a mission to investigate and prosecute the theft or fraudulent misuse of taxpayer dollars.