BOSTON — A Dominican national and former Lynn resident was sentenced Wednesday in federal court for theft of government money and making a false statement on an application for Social Security benefits, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.
Rafael Bautista Abreu, 63, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to 18 months in prison and two years of supervised release.
A statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office said that Bautista Abreu unlawfully used the identity of a U.S. citizen for at least 12 years, during which time he fraudulently received public assistance benefits to which he was not entitled.
He reportedly stole approximately $15,840 in MassHealth benefits from October 2008 to July 2016, and $12,222 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (previously known as Food Stamps) from September 2009 to July 2016. Bautista Abreu also reportedly used the stolen identity when he applied for benefits with the Social Security Administration.
In February 2021, Bautista Abreu pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of government money and one count of making a false statement on an application for Social Security benefits, the statement said.
In addition to his prison sentence, Bautista Abreu was ordered to pay restitution of $15,840 to MassHealth and of $12,222 to the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance. Bautista Abreu will face deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence.
Elyse Carmosino can be reached at [email protected].
