Melrose 'Serial Scammer' Sentenced To 7 More Years In Prison

MELROSE, MA — A 69-year-old Melrose man who has already spent decades in and out of prison was sentenced to seven more years behind bars after pleading guilty to bilking the state out of unemployment insurance money by making fraudulent claims under the names of others.

Alan Neal Scott in July pleaded guilty to four counts of mail fraud, one count of wire fraud and five counts of aggravated identity theft. He also must pay nearly $350,000 in restitution.

Scott, who prosecutors called a "serial scammer," has a lengthy criminal career stretches back decades. He was in federal prison from 2000-11 after several bank and tax fraud cases, just a few of the at least 17 prior convictions. His first conviction came in 1972, when he was just 19.

"He has lived a life of deceit of others for his own gain for nearly half a century," prosecutors said in his sentencing recommendation.

This time around, prosecutors said Scott spent six years submitting numerous fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with the state, some of which occurred while under supervised release from his previous incarceration.

Some of the claims were using other identities — including those of incarcerated people — and all were related to a nonoperational businesses linked to Scott. All the funds were being sent to addresses — including Melrose ones — connected to and accounts controlled by Scott

"The criminal scheme that the defendant conducted was complex and sophisticated, resulting in

the fraudulent procurement of hundreds of thousands of dollars in government benefits," prosecutors said. "He has demonstrated no remorse and his history makes clear that he will not change his fraudulent ways. In fact, it makes clear that a significant term of incarceration is the only option to prevent this defendant from continuing to commit additional crimes.

Scott's attorney argued for four years in prison, citing Scott's deteriorating health and his love for rescue animals.