John Cozza, a 64-year-old resident of Plainfield, Vermont, was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $68,323.20 in restitution after pleading guilty to providing false information on his application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The sentencing took place on February 10, 2026, before Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss.
Court records show that in March 2021, Cozza claimed he had not been self-employed during 2020 or up to the date of his SSDI application. However, it was determined that Cozza continued working as a handyman through his businesses, J.C. Handy Man Services and Black Bear Building Services, from 2019 through at least 2023. Evidence included business advertisements and social media posts promoting his services.
Due to these false statements made to the Social Security Administration (SSA), Cozza received $68,323.20 in benefits for which he was not eligible.
First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt stated: “I commend the collaborative investigatory efforts of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations (SSA OIG-OI) and the Vermont State Police.”
The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Aliberti and Jason Turner. Michael Shklar represented John Cozza.
