New Salem man sentenced for Social Security fraud
A New Salem man has been sentenced to three years of probation, and ordered to repay $29,103 for not reporting money or assets that would have impacted his receipt of government benefits.
Samuel J. DelSignore, 51, pleaded guilty to Social Security fraud and false statements. Authorities alleged in an indictment that DelSignore “concealed his receipt and possession of property consisting of a 1/3 interest in the estate of his father, funds in bank accounts, a 1992 Kenworth truck, a 1988 Peterbilt truck and a 1967 Pontiac GTO”
When he had an interview with special agents from the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General about money or property that would impact his benefits, DelSignore said he sold the GTO for $1,500, when he had actually sold it for $21,000.
Senior U.S. District Judge Gustave Diamond, who sentenced DelSignore Thursday, said that the Social Security Administration could not afford to pay those who were not entitled, but that probation was appropriate since DelSignore had no criminal history, and had been responsible for most of his life, according to a release from U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton.
DelSignore was charged last July. The alleged crimes occurred in 2009 and 2010, according to court records.