New Bedford man convicted of stealing disability benefits for 10 years

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — A New Bedford man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to fraudulently receiving Social Security benefits for ten years.

Anthony Patterson, 62, was convicted of one count of theft of government money.

Patterson collected Supplemental Security Income benefits from 2013-2023 which are meant for people with limited financial resources.

Patterson gave false sworn statements regarding his marital status and living situation in 2012 and 2022, collecting $92,582 in benefits.

Patterson faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

He is scheduled for sentencing on September 10.