BANGOR — A Wayne man has pleaded guilty to illegally receiving veterans unemployment benefits while he had a job.

Lawrence Stewart pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Bangor to charge of theft of public money.

Prosecutors say the 48-year-old Stewart received more than $54,000 in benefits to which he was not entitled between August 2011 and January.

Stewart was earning $6,200 a month through his job at one point while collecting more than $3,300 a month in unemployability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Prosecutors say Stewart was entitled to receive about $1,800 monthly in disability benefits, but not unemployability benefits.

Stewart is free on personal recognizance.