Feds: Man gets probation for taking dead mother’s Social Security

EAST HAVEN — A local man who stole his dead mother’s Social Security benefits for about a decade was sentenced to probation in federal court on Tuesday, according to the prosecutor.

Jovon Gamble, 40, of East Haven, was sentenced by Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to three years of probation.

The judge ordered the first three months of Gamble’s probation to be served in home confinement.

Gamble pleaded guilty to theft of public funds on May 10.

His mother was legally receiving Social Security Administration monthly benefits before her death in June 2007. The prosecutor said the SSA was never told of her death, and Gamble continued to access the funds deposited into his mother’s account.

The prosecutor said the SSA deposited more than $88,000 into Gamble’s mother’s account from 2007 through 2017.

Shea ordered Gamble to pay $88,150.78 in restitution and to complete 75 hours of community service while on supervised release.