Buffalo Man Sentenced For Fraudulently Obtaining Social Security Benefits

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051 

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Carter Watts, Jr., Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of unlawfully receiving supplemental security income benefits, was sentenced to 12 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Arcara.  The defendant was also ordered to pay $15,456 in restitution.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Lamarque, who handled the case, stated that between October 1, 2013 and June 1, 2015, the defendant received Supplemental Social Security Income benefits on behalf of his disabled daughter, when in fact, the child was not living with him.  Watts received a total of $15,456 to which he was not entitled.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Ryan.