‘Wicked Tuna’ star sentenced for fraud

A man featured on the reality television show Wicked Tuna is scheduled to be sentenced in Vermont on charges he received government disability benefits while he was fishing on the show.

Paul Hebert, of Gloucester, Massachusetts, is due in federal court in Burlington on Wednesday. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges of Social Security and Medicaid fraud.

As part of a plea deal with prosecutors, Hebert agreed to pay more than $53,600 (Dh196,823) in restitution.

Attorneys are recommending probation.

Hebert’s attorney has said he filed for the benefits before he got the job on Wicked Tuna.

The National Geographic Channel show follows several Gloucester-based boats that try to land bluefin tuna, which can weigh hundreds of kilogrammes and fetch tens of thousands of dollars.