A resident of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud, admitting to a scheme that defrauded federal agencies of over $350,000 in benefits designated for his deceased mother. The scheme, which spanned more than 16 years, involved Richard Burke, 76, of Milan, Pennsylvania, systematically withdrawing his mother’s Social Security and Veterans Affairs pension payments after her death in 2005, without notifying the relevant government bodies.
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According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Burke withdrew a total of $350,634.23 from his mother’s bank account between April 2005 and March 7, 2022. These funds were comprised of her Social Security Retirement, Survivors and Disability (RSDI) benefits, as well as her Veterans Affairs death pension benefit payments. Burke allegedly used his deceased mother’s bank card to make regular cash withdrawals from the account after these benefits were deposited. Throughout this period, he failed to inform the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that his mother had passed away, thus continuing to receive payments to which only she was entitled.
The investigation into this matter was conducted jointly by the Office of the Inspector General for both the SSA and the VA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Zenzinger is prosecuting the case. As a result of his guilty plea, Burke faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine. A judge will determine the final sentence after considering federal sentencing statutes and guidelines. Burke’s sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania
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