BOSTON, Mass. (WLNE) — A New Bedford man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for stealing over $450,000 in disability benefits from a United States Marine Corps veteran with ALS. Joseph Smith, 71, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government benefits and one count of conspiracy to steal government benefits. The victim began receiving disability checks in September of 2015, which were mailed to the victim’s former New Bedford residence where he resided with Smith’s relative. Smith and others received the $8,318 monthly disability checks beginning in 2015 while the victim was hospitalized with ALS. They then deposited the checks in bank accounts that they controlled. Smith later opened a fraudulent account in the victim’s name to continue depositing the checks. Smith and others stole a total of more than $450,000 in benefits from the victim from 2015-2020 Smith will be sentenced on January 15, 2025. Categories: Massachusetts, New Bedford, News