Franklinville, NJ, man admits stealing $200K in Social Security, Medicaid benefits

A Gloucester County man has admitted that he defrauded the government of more than $200,000 in Social Security and Medicaid benefits.

Federal authorities say on Monday in Camden federal court, 72-year-old Dennis Gaudette of Franklinville pleaded guilty to an information charging him with Social Security fraud.

According to officials, beginning in March 2009, Gaudette used the identity of a dead person to apply for and receive Social Security and Medicaid benefits.

Between 2009 and 2023, Gaudette collected $43,464 in Social Security Retirement Income Benefits and $85,332 in Supplemental Security Income benefits that he was not entitled to receive.

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During the same period, the state of New Jersey paid $88,993 in Medicaid benefits for medical care, testing, and medications that Gaudette received using the name of the deceased person.

Over the course of the scheme, Gaudette concealed and failed to disclose that he was ineligible for these government benefits because he was not in fact the deceased individual and his actual age, income, and resources did not qualify him for these programs.

The Social Security fraud charge carries up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross profits or gross loss, whichever is greatest.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 15th.