News Summary
The Boston City Council has unanimously approved a home rule petition to raise disability pension benefits for a former schoolteacher who suffered traumatic brain damage from an attack by a student. This decision comes amidst various legal cases in Massachusetts concerning disability benefit fraud, involving individuals like David Tetreault, who was sentenced for tax evasion and theft of benefits. The council’s petition aims to support those genuinely in need of assistance while addressing the issue of fraud in benefit allocation.
Boston – In a significant legal decision, the Boston City Council has unanimously approved a home rule petition aimed at increasing disability pension benefits for a former city schoolteacher. This decision comes in light of the schoolteacher’s traumatic brain damage resulting from an attack by a 16-year-old student in 2021.
In related cases, several individuals in Massachusetts have been sentenced for their roles in disability benefit fraud. Notably, David Tetreault, a 55-year-old former bookkeeper from Attleboro, received an 18-month prison sentence for tax evasion and the theft of disability benefits. Presiding over Tetreault’s case was U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton.
After serving his prison term, Tetreault will undergo three years of supervised release. He has also been ordered to pay substantial restitution, including $623,602 to the IRS, $159,816 to the Social Security Administration, and $161,835 to the Employment Retirement System of Rhode Island.
Tetreault’s fraudulent activities date back to his tenure as a bookkeeper for a Massachusetts electrical contractor from 2015 to 2021. He failed to report a significant income of $2.1 million and improperly received over $320,000 in Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and ERSRI disability pension benefits from 2016 to 2024.
Similarly, Crystal Gesumaria, a 41-year-old resident of Quincy, was sentenced to three years of probation for fraudulently obtaining $93,603 in Social Security disability benefits. She failed to disclose her marriage in 2013 and made misleading statements about her marital status to the Social Security Administration. Gesumaria was charged in October 2024 and pleaded guilty to a count of misdemeanor theft of government money.
In another notable case, Joseph Smith, a 71-year-old from New Bedford, was handed a 23-month prison sentence for stealing over $450,000 in disability benefits from a young veteran diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Smith faced charges of theft and conspiracy to steal government benefits and pleaded guilty in September 2024. This robbery was particularly egregious as it involved exploiting the disability benefits intended for a disabled veteran, with Smith and accomplices depositing the veteran’s monthly VBA checks into their own accounts for personal use.
U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy condemned these acts, particularly emphasizing the immorality associated with stealing from veterans who rely on government assistance for their health and well-being.
The approval of the home rule petition to enhance the benefits of the former schoolteacher highlights the ongoing challenges facing individuals with disabilities while simultaneously shedding light on the serious issue of disability benefit fraud in Massachusetts. The cases of Tetreault, Gesumaria, and Smith serve as harsh reminders of the consequences of fraudulent actions, impacting not only the individuals involved but also the integrity of social safety nets designed to assist those in legitimate need.
As the Boston City Council moves forward with this petition, it seeks to ensure that those deserving of support, particularly individuals facing the life-altering impacts of disability, receive the necessary financial assistance. This situation underscores the importance of maintaining trust in public assistance programs and ensuring that resources are allocated appropriately to those in need.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Boston Herald: Boston City Council OKs Disability Pension Hike
- WWLP: Massachusetts Woman Sentenced for Disability Theft
- Fall River Reporter: Bristol County Man Sentenced for Disability Fraud
- Boston Globe: Pension Benefits for State Employees
- CBS News: Wounded Police Officers and Disability Pensions
- Wikipedia: Disability Benefits
