Prosecutor: Conn. Man Impersonated Dead Sister To Get Her Veteran's Benefits

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A 64-year-old Connecticut man has been sentenced to six months in federal prison after prosecutors say he impersonated his dead sister in phone calls to get access to her veteran's benefits.

John Deppert pleaded guilty in April to theft of government property and was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Court Judge Vanessa Bryant.

Prosecutors say Deppert had access to his sister's bank account after she died in January 2015.

They say that in October 2017, he called the Veterans Administration posing as his sister, told them she was not dead and convinced the VA to reinitiate benefit payments.

They say he posed as his sister in two other calls with the VA, stealing more than $77,000 through the scheme.

Bryant ordered Deppert to pay full restitution.

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