A Connecticut man was sentenced Friday to two years of probation for continuing to collect his father’s Social Security benefits, even though the older man had moved overseas and subsequently died.
Zimer Kalici, 56, of Waterbury, must spend the first three months of his sentence in home confinement and was also ordered to pay restitution of more than $52,000 and perform 250 hours of community service, according to the office of U.S. Attorney for Connecticut, John Durham.
Kalici’s father, a Social Security benefits recipient, moved overseas in 2009 and died in January 2010, prosecutors said.
Kalici did not report his father’s death to the Social Security Administration and between 2009 and 2018 deposited more than $52,000 worth of Social Security checks intended for his father into his personal bank account, authorities said.
He also lied, telling a government agent in 2018 that his father was still alive.
People are not eligible for Social Security benefits when they permanently relocate outside the U.S.
Kalici pleaded guilty in September to theft of public money.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.