A Florida man pleaded guilty to stealing his twin brother’s identity.
The Associated Press reports Wayne Bowen, 64, was sentenced on Tuesday to two years in federal prison after getting his hands tens of thousands of dollars in military veterans benefits by using his brother’s identity. As part of his plea agreement, Bowen must repay $63,773 in restitution.
Bowen, who in January pled guilty to aggravated identity theft, obtained a Florida identification card using his twin brother’s identity. From there, he used his brother’s name, Social Security card, and military discharge papers to apply for federally subsidized housing benefits intended for military veterans.
After filing the fraudulent paperwork, officials said the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided Bowen with $32,434 in medical services. In addition, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved $18,905 worth of housing subsidies for Bowen, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture provided him with $12,434 in nutritional benefits. The man said that he was using his twin brother’s identity for years.
Bowen’s brother, who resides in another state, confirmed that he never gave Bowen permission to use his identity, nor had he ever applied for the aforementioned benefits himself.
