A 73-year-old New Smyrna Beach man pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining thousands of dollars in veterans disability benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.Jerry Smith pleaded guilty to one count of receiving stolen government money and now faces up to 10 years in federal prison. Prosecutors said Smith falsely claimed to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that he was legally blind.He claimed he was unable to drive, work, or perform daily activities. Based on those claims, he received $244,953.70 in disability compensation and benefits between 2017 and 2021.However, investigators said they found Smith’s vision was better than he reported. According to the plea agreement, he was able to drive, read, navigate public spaces, complete transactions at stores and ATMs and even work as a firearms specialist and school guardian. The sentencing date for Smith has not yet been set, officials said.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. —
A 73-year-old New Smyrna Beach man pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining thousands of dollars in veterans disability benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Jerry Smith pleaded guilty to one count of receiving stolen government money and now faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
Prosecutors said Smith falsely claimed to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that he was legally blind.
He claimed he was unable to drive, work, or perform daily activities.
Based on those claims, he received $244,953.70 in disability compensation and benefits between 2017 and 2021.
However, investigators said they found Smith’s vision was better than he reported.
According to the plea agreement, he was able to drive, read, navigate public spaces, complete transactions at stores and ATMs and even work as a firearms specialist and school guardian.
The sentencing date for Smith has not yet been set, officials said.