United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

NEW LONDON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT TO RECEIVE DISABILITY BENEFITS

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARIO TORRES-ORTIZ, 44, of New London, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Christopher F. Droney in Hartford to one count of making a materially false statement to an agency or department of the United States.

According to court documents and statements made in court, TORRES-ORTIZ had been receiving disability benefit payments from the Social Security Administration since 1993.  In May 2009, TORRES-ORTIZ submitted a form to the Social Security Administration in which he stated under penalties of perjury that he had not worked since 2000.  However, TORRES-ORTIZ had worked from May 2007 through May 2009 as a subcontractor installing carpet for a company located in Groton.  TORRES-ORTIZ knew the statement was false when he made it and did so intentionally to avoid having his disability benefits terminated.

Between May 2007 and September 2009, TORRES-ORTIZ obtained $19,585 in disability benefits to which he was not entitled.

Judge Droney has scheduled sentencing for January 14, 2011, at which time TORRES-ORTIZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case was investigated by agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anastasia Enos King and Paul McConnell.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov