TRENTON — Toms River resident, Krzysztof Niedzielski, confessed on Thursday to fraudulently acquiring over $270,000 in Social Security disability benefits across eight years, while also receiving a significant income from manual labor for a construction contractor. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Alina Habba. Niedzielski, 49, was previously indicted for stealing public money and making false statements to the Social Security Administration, as stated by Habba.

Niedzielski is now facing a maximum of 15 years in federal prison, with potential fines reaching up to $500,000. His sentencing, by U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in federal court in Trenton, is currently slated for Aug. 5, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The fraudulent acts occurred from 2012 to 2020, a period in which Niedzielski claimed $270,933.10 in Social Security disability insurance benefits for himself, his wife, and his dependent children, asserting he was unable to work. Despite this, Niedzielski managed and carried out physical labor for a home improvement contracting company, simultaneously earning a sizeable income. Niedzielski’s employment status and income were not reported to the Social Security Administration, thus preventing any reduction in disability benefits, Habba said.

The investigation into the matter was conducted by special agents of the Social Security Administration from its Office of the Inspector General, helmed by Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly. It was Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Abrams in Newark who made the federal government’s case against Niedzielski. Legal representation for Niedzielski is provided by criminal defense attorney Nicholas Moschella.

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