New Iberia Man Pleads Guilty To Theft Of Funds

A man from New Iberia has pleaded guilty to taking more than $86,000 dollars from the Social Security Administration that he was not entitled to.

The U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley says 52-year-old Buddy Estelle pleaded guilty in the case last week.

Estelle started receiving Social Security disability payments in 1984, and at a routine benefit eligibility meeting in 2011 he said he had not worked since 2000.

Later, during his guilty plea, he admitted he has been self-employed since 2000.  He admitted to owning a business that buys and crushes cars.

Estelle faces up to five years in prison along with a $250,000 fine.

He will face restitution of the $86,000 and three years of supervised release.

Estelle is scheduled to be sentenced on January 10th.