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BELCHERTOWN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A man from Belchertown, Mass. was sentenced in federal court on Jan. 4 for fraudulently receiving Social Security disability benefits.
59-year-old Kenneth Pontz was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 10 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Restitution and forfeiture will be determined at a later date.
According to a press release from Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, Pontz made multiple false statements to the Social Security Administration to obtain over $114,000 in disability benefits over the course of 16 years. They said Pontz was not entitled to these benefits because he concealed the fact that he lived with his wife, whose income should have been used in calculating his monthly benefit payment for the needs-based program.
Authorities said Pontz concealed his true living arrangements by reporting that he lived in a vacant lot instead of the residence he shared with his wife. He also provided a fraudulent rent receipt that overstated his actual rent by $575 per month.
The court determined that Pontz also embezzled approximately $46,000 from his trailer park association in his capacity as treasurer.
Pontz is due back in court on March 5, 2024.
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