Soldier Pleads Guilty To Falsely Taking Benefits

A Fort Riley soldier has admitted that he accepted disability payments he wasn’t eligible to receive.

The U.S. Attorney’s office says in a statement that 37-year-old James Scott Nickerson pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of making a false official statement to a federal agency.

Prosecutors say in October 2009, Nickerson applied for disability benefits under the Wounded Warrior Program. He claimed he was unable to work because of “mental disorders” he developed while serving in Iraq. But he concealed that he was working full time for the Army in various jobs, including as a platoon sergeant.

Nickerson admitted being paid nearly $72,000 in Social Security disability benefits he shouldn’t have received. He has already agreed to pay $71,734 in restitution.

He will be sentenced Sept. 8.