Michael P. Drescher Acting United States Attorney for the District of Vermont | U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
John Cozza, a 64-year-old resident of Plainfield, Vermont, was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $68,323.20 in restitution after pleading guilty to providing false information on his application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The sentence was handed down by Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss on February 10, 2026.
Court records show that in March 2021, Cozza claimed on his SSDI application that he had not been self-employed during 2020 or up until the date of his application. However, evidence revealed that Cozza continued working as a handyman through his businesses—J.C. Handy Man Services and Black Bear Building Services—from 2019 through at least 2023. His ongoing employment was demonstrated by business advertisements and social media activity related to these services.
Due to these false statements, Cozza received $68,323.20 in SSDI benefits for which he was not eligible.
First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt stated: "The collaborative investigatory efforts of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations (SSA OIG-OI) and the Vermont State Police are commendable."
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Aliberti and Jason Turner prosecuted the case. Michael Shklar represented John Cozza.
