A Livermore Falls man pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Portland to stealing more than $1,000 in Social Security disability benefits, according to federal prosecutors.

Robert B. Hutton, 58, claimed in documents filed with the Social Security Administration that he was unable to work as a truck driver because of his physical condition, according to court records. That federal agency told Hutton repeatedly that he was required to report any change in his situation that might affect his Social Security benefits, a written release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Portland said.

In June 2010, Hutton reported to the agency that he wasn’t receiving any income. When the agency investigated, it found that a trucking company had, in fact, paid Hutton $24,975 in 2008, $28,175 in 2009 and $10,450 through April of 2010 for his work as a truck driver in Jay.

During an interview last year, Hutton admitted to federal authorities that he earned between $23,000 and $24,000 per year from that trucking company for his work as a truck driver and making deliveries. That income history showed he was capable of “substantial” work activities, making him ineligible for the Social Security disability benefits he received, U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Moore said in Wednesday’s news release.

Hutton faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the charge. His sentencing will be scheduled after a pre-sentence report is completed by the U.S. Probation Office.

The investigation that led to the charges was conducted by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General.

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