Norwalk Man Pleads Guilty To Theft of Government Property

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut announced Monday the guilty plea of a 54-year-old Norwalk man on Friday, July 20, 2012 to one count of theft of government property. 

Paul Wiegman was charged in connection to his alleged illegal receipt of his mother’s Social Security benefits after she had died.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in December 2002, Wiegman’s mother, who had been receiving Social Security Retirement Insurance Benefit and Widow’s Benefit payments, died in her residence.  Wiegman, who lived with his mother, did not notify any authorities about his mother’s death.  From December 2002 until April 2010, Wiegman received and used a total of $90,188 in Social Security benefit payments that had been deposited into his mother’s bank account.

Wiegman also made several false statements to Social Security Administration officials investigating this matter, including that his mother was still alive but was unable to speak, and that she was alive and living with a family friend.

Sentencing has been scheduled for October 3, 2012, at which time Wiegman faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and an order of restitution.