Delmar man admits guilt in Social Security fraud of $62K

A 62-year-old Delmar man pleaded guilty to Social Security fraud in federal court in Albany Wednesday.

Bennett Fitzalan-Howard admitted to defrauding the Social Security Administration of around $62,200, said Andrew Baxter, acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York.

Back in 1981, Fitzalan-Howard applied for disability benefits using a birthdate that made him eligible for greater disability insurance benefits, said Baxter. Fitzalan-Howard had continued receiving benefits up until the present based on that false birthdate, which was seven years younger than his actual date of birth.

Fitzalan-Howard faces up to five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and restitution when he is sentenced January 12, 2009.