A Lynn man was sentenced in federal court in Boston on July 9 for receiving stolen Social Security benefits and making false statements. James C. Burdulis, 57, received a sentence of one day of prison deemed served, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $67,159 in restitution.
Burdulis pleaded guilty in April to one count of receiving stolen government money or property and one count of false statements. He was charged on March 26. Prosecutors said Burdulis received $63,959 in stolen Social Security benefits and $3,200 in COVID economic impact payments from June 2019 through June 2025 that were intended for a beneficiary who had died. Prior to the beneficiary’s death in May 2019, Burdulis had been appointed as the representative payee to manage their Social Security benefits.
Between June 2020 and June 2024, Burdulis submitted five fraudulent representative payee reports to the Social Security Administration under penalty of perjury, stating he spent money received from the agency on behalf of the deceased beneficiary after their death. In September 2020, he also submitted a fraudulent verification form claiming that the deceased continued to live at the same location.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations Boston Field Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg prosecuted the case.
On March 26, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team as a district-wide initiative established “in response to rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts.” The team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators with a mission “to aggressively investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts.” Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced creation of its National Fraud Enforcement Division focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against Americans as part of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts enforces federal laws through prosecutions including national security threats and civil rights violations; advances community initiatives; employs over 200 attorneys and staff; maintains offices at multiple locations; serves all state residents; and is part of the United States Department of Justice, according to its official website.