CT man’s scheme nets $370K in Social Security, unemployment, and food stamp benefits

A Connecticut man has pleaded guilty to a charge related to a scheme to fraudulently obtain Social Security, unemployment, and food stamp benefits, according to federal authorities.

Ricardo Santiago, 59, of Hartford, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to one count of wire fraud, according to federal authorities. Santiago also agreed to pay restitution of $371,686.

Authorities, citing court documents and statements made in court, said that, between 2002 and 2024, Santiago “held jobs with more than 20 employers and earned income totaling more than $580,000.”

But “Santiago concealed his income from federal and state government agencies by providing to employers false identification, including a Social Security number and card belonging to another individual, and, in at least one instance, a false Social Security card,” according to federal authorities.

Santiago also applied for Retirement Survivors Disability Insurance benefits, representing to the Social Security Administration in 2002 that “he was unable to work due to disability.  As a result, he began receiving RSDI payments in September 2002,” according to federal authorities.

Santiago then completed paperwork in 2017 to maintain benefits, claiming he remained disabled and had not worked for two years, authorities said, noting “Santiago ultimately collected more than $316,000 in RSDI payments to which he was not entitled.”

Santiago in 2017 also applied to the Connecticut Department of Social Services for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, claiming he “earned no income from employment.”

He received SNAP benefits, renewing his applications by claiming he earned no money from employment, authorities said, over time making more than $18,000 in purchases with SNAP benefits “to which he was not entitled.”

Santiago then in 2020 applied to the Connecticut Department of Labor for Unemployment Insurance benefits, using Social Security number belonging to another person and telling agency and U.S. Department of Labor “that he was unemployed but available for work and physically able to work.”

“He subsequently completed weekly certifications making the same representations.  From April 2020 through February 2021, Santiago received more than $36,000 in payments to which he was not entitled,” authorities said.

Santiago is free on a $25,000 bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for May 22.

The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, U..S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, and U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General.