Lynn man sentenced for taking deceased neighbor’s veteran benefits
A Lynn man was sentenced Monday for taking nearly $80,000 in veteran benefits intended for his deceased neighbor, the U.S. Attorney’s office said in a statement.John Ladd, 73, was sentenced to one year of probation, of which the first six months must be served in home confinement, and was ordered to pay full restitution to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after pleading guilty to stealing public money in August 2016.Ladd’s neighbor, who was receiving monthly veteran benefits, died in 2009, according to the statement. As the VA was not properly informed of her death, her benefits continued to be deposited into her bank account each month.The U.S. Attorney’s office said Ladd had been helping his neighbor before her death, allowing him to access her checkbook. He regularly wrote himself checks from his neighbor’s bank account after she died, forging her signature on every check before depositing them into his own bank account, according to officials.
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