N.J. man’s father died in 2004. He admitted stealing his benefits ever since.

A Somerset County man admitted to stealing over $600,000 in federal benefits intended for his deceased father since 2004, according to officials with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Steven Jones, 66, of Somerset pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to a charge of converting federal funds.
Jones was accused of falsifying his father’s death certificate after his death 20 years ago so that federal agencies would continue paying his retirement benefits, officials said.
On two occasions, authorities said Jones had someone impersonate his father to a federal agency so that officials would think his father was still alive and continue payments, officials said.
Jones received his father’s federal retirement benefits from October 2004 until December 2023, authorities said.
Jones’ sentencing is scheduled for April 21, 2025.
An attorney for Jones did not immediately return a request for comment.
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Matthew Enuco may be reached at [email protected]. Follow Matt on X.