Ex-Long Branch Councilman Who Cashed His Dead Wife's Disability Checks Must Pay The Money Back

TRENTON – Former Long Branch City Councilman Brian Unger's wife died in June 2009 But that didn't stop him from collecting her Social Security disability checks for another four years, according to app.com.

Unger, 64, was ordered by a federal judge Monday to pay back $82,854, according to a U.S. District Court filing.

Unger lives in Rincon, Puerto Rico now. He pleaded to theft of government funds in Oct. 13 before U.S. district Judge Freda L. Wolfson, who sentenced him on Monday.

Unger collected the checks from 2009 through 2013. His wife applied for disability insurance benefits due to illness back in 2008. She began to receive electronic payments directly deposited in her bank account.

She died in June 2009, but Unger did not notify the Social Security Administration, which continued to issue direct deposits of benefit payments into her account through September 2013.

Unger must make restitution to Social Security, and pay a $7,500 fine. He was also sentenced to two years probation.

"He's pleased that the matter is behind him and he can go on with his life. It was a very fair sentencing," said Charles J. Uliano, Unger's attorney said.

Image: Patch file photo.

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