A Detroit man was sentenced to two years in prison for stealing more than $800,000 in government benefits.
Kendrick Allen Gills, 64, must also spend three years on supervised release after his prison term and pay full restitution to the government.
The U.S. Attorney's office says Gill's relative, Jack Farmer, passed away in 2004. He was receiving a federal pension from the Office of Personnel Management and because OPM was not aware of his death, it continued to issue monthly checks in Farmer's name.
The payments continued for about 14 years, totaling $566,547. Officials say Gills converted the payments to his own use through making electronic withdrawals from their joint bank account, along with forging Farmer's signature on at least one check.
Officials say Gills concealed Farmer's death by submitting multiple forms to OPM, making it seem like Farmer was still alive and living with Gills.
Additionally, authorities say that during the same period, Gills also retained $245,969 in payments made to another deceased relative by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
