BOSTON — On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced that a former Haverhill man had been charged in federal court in Boston with receiving stolen Social Security disability benefits for over five years.
Christopher D. Leon, 56, was charged with one count of receiving stolen government money or property. Leon is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
Federal prosecutors allege that Leon received approximately $87,817 in stolen Social Security disability benefits from November 2019 through August 2025.
The charge of receiving stolen government money or property carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, special agent in charge of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division, announced the charge. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The case comes as federal prosecutors in Massachusetts have announced a broader effort to investigate benefit fraud. On March 26, 2026, U.S. Attorney Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a districtwide initiative focused on investigating and prosecuting alleged misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts can be reported by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1, or 855-722-6621.
