Hartford Man Sentenced to Nearly Five Years in Prison for Fraudulently Collecting Social Security, Unemployment and Food Stamp Benefits
A Hartford man has been sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison after authorities uncovered a long-running fraud scheme in which he collected government benefits for more than two decades while secretly working and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars. Ricardo Santiago, 60, was sentenced in federal court in Hartford to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver. Federal prosecutors say the case highlights a deliberate and sustained effort to deceive multiple government programs while continuing to earn income through regular employment.
According to court documents and statements made during the proceedings, Santiago carried out the fraud scheme between 2002 and 2024. During that time, he worked for more than 20 different employers and earned over $580,000 in wages. Investigators say he concealed this income by using false identification documents when applying for jobs, including a Social Security number and card belonging to another individual. In at least one case, he also presented a completely fabricated Social Security card in order to hide his identity and prevent government agencies from detecting his employment.
The scheme began in 2002 when Santiago applied for Retirement Survivors Disability Insurance benefits through the Social Security Administration. At the time of the application, he claimed he was unable to work because of a disability. Based on those representations, the federal government approved his application and he began receiving monthly disability payments in September of that year. The benefits were intended to provide financial support to individuals who cannot work due to significant health limitations.
Years later, in 2017, Santiago submitted paperwork to maintain his disability benefits. In those forms he again stated that he remained disabled and had not worked during the previous two years. Investigators later determined that those claims were false and that he had continued to work and earn income throughout that period. Over the course of the scheme, Santiago ultimately collected more than $316,000 in disability payments that prosecutors say he was never entitled to receive.
Authorities say the fraud expanded beyond Social Security benefits. In February 2017, Santiago applied for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, commonly known as SNAP or food stamps, through the Connecticut Department of Social Services. On his application, he claimed that he had no income from employment. That representation allowed him to begin receiving food assistance benefits in March 2017. In subsequent renewal forms, Santiago again reported that there had been no changes to his financial situation and that he was not earning any money from employment. Investigators later determined those statements were false as well. Records show that Santiago made more than $18,000 in purchases using SNAP benefits that he was not eligible to receive.
The scheme continued during the COVID-19 pandemic when Santiago applied for unemployment insurance benefits. In April 2020, he submitted an application to the Connecticut Department of Labor claiming he was unemployed but able and available to work. On the application he again used a Social Security number belonging to another individual. He then submitted weekly certifications repeating those claims in order to continue receiving payments. Between April 2020 and February 2021, he collected more than $36,000 in unemployment benefits that prosecutors say he obtained through fraudulent representations.
Altogether, the fraudulent benefits from the various government programs totaled more than $371,000. As part of his sentence, Judge Oliver ordered Santiago to repay $371,686 in restitution to compensate the government for the funds he improperly obtained.
The case took another unusual turn while Santiago was awaiting sentencing. After being arrested on May 7, 2024, he later pleaded guilty to wire fraud on February 24, 2025. However, while released on bond in September 2025, authorities say Santiago staged an apparent drowning involving himself and his daughter in the Connecticut River. Investigators later determined the incident was an attempt to fake their deaths and avoid sentencing. Hartford Police ultimately located Santiago and his daughter alive in Hartford on September 20, 2025. Following that incident, he was taken back into custody and has remained detained since.
Federal officials say the investigation required cooperation among several agencies responsible for overseeing public assistance and federal benefit programs. The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan J. Guevremont prosecuted the case on behalf of the federal government.
Authorities say the case serves as a reminder that fraud involving government benefit programs is aggressively investigated and prosecuted, particularly when individuals attempt to exploit programs designed to help people in genuine financial or medical need.
IF YOU NEED A LAWYER CONTACT US