A South Portland man admitted he lied about his income to receive $7,600 in government subsidies.

Peter K. Ruach, 38, pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Portland to one count of making a false statement to a government agency and three counts of theft of government property.

U.S. District Attorney Paula Silsby said that Ruach obtained about $4,700 in housing subsidies, $1,650 from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Famlies and $1,250 in food stamps to which he was not entitled.

Silsby said that Ruach failed to inform government authorities about a change in income when he began working for the U.S. Postal Service in Nov. 2004.

Ruach faces a maximum possible sentence of five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, on the false statement count.

He could receive a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000, or both, one each of the theft counts.