CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Jackson County man will be sentenced in May for collecting $10,100 in Social Security payments on behalf of his dead uncle.
Michael W. Smith, 36, of Sandyville recently plead guilty in U.S. District Court to theft of government money. He could be sentenced to up to five years in prison and forced to pay back the full amount in restitution.
Federal prosecutors said, in October 2008, Smith became the representative payee for his uncle, James Conrad, and was allowed to receive payments on Conrad’s behalf.
However, after Conrad died in April 2009, investigators said Smith continued to collect the benefit payments up until July 2010.