A Monmouth County man is facing theft charges following an investigation that revealed he allegedly stole $23,028 in his deceased wife’s Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

Richard Hayes, 59, of Neptune Township, was charged on Oct. 16 with third-degree theft of movable property following an investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Hayes was charged and released on a summons.

The case background …

In May 2020, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office was contacted by the Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration to alert that from December 2015 through June 2019, Hayes converted approximately $23, 028 in benefits that were for his deceased wife, for his personal use.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Hayes was making ATM withdrawals and check card purchases from his wife’s account by using her debit card. Purchases and withdrawals were made on a regular and routine basis around the time of each month’s anticipated automatic deposit of the benefits and supplemental Social Security income.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office

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