Rensselaer Man Pled Guilty To Theft Of Government Property

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Lawrence Macera, 65, of Rensselaer, pled guilty on May 26, 2015 in U. S. District Court to Theft of Government Property, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian. Sentencing is set for September 23, 2015 in Albany before District Judge Mae D’Agostino

In entering his guilty plea, Macera admitted that between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010, he stole approximately $54,041 of railroad benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board by failing to report income as required by the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974. During this period he was receiving disability benefits to which he was not entitled because he was earning additional income and failed to report that income to the board. Macera faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and up to a $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General, Officer of Investigations, U.S. Railroad Retirement Board and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Emily T. Farber.