'Wicked Tuna' Fisherman Pleads Guilty To Fraud
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — A man once featured on the reality television show "Wicked Tuna" has pleaded guilty to federal charges in Vermont he received government benefits while he was fishing on the show.
Fifty-year-old Paul Hebert, of Gloucester, Massachusetts, appeared Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Burlington where he pleaded guilty to charges of Social Security and Medicaid fraud.
Hebert was charged last summer with accepting more than $44,000 in Social Security and Medicaid benefits between 2010 and 2013.
Hebert agreed to pay more than $53,600 in restitution. Attorneys are recommending probation for four years. Sentencing is set for May.
Hebert's attorney Paul Volk says the claims were due to injuries Hebert suffered before joining "Wicked Tuna" and Hebert failed to update his condition.
Hebert has been on "Wicked Tuna" since 2012.
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