A Milan, Pennsylvania man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after withdrawing more than $350,000 in federal benefits intended for his deceased mother over a period of nearly 17 years.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Richard Burke, age 76, entered his guilty plea on September 24, 2025 before Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann. According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, “from April 2005 until March 7, 2022, Burke withdrew $350,634.23 of his deceased mother’s Social Security Retirement, Survivors and Disability (RSDI) benefits and Veterans Affairs death pension benefit payments from her bank account. Burke’s mother died in 2005, and no other individual was entitled to the benefits designated to her. Burke used his deceased mother’s bank card to make regular cash withdrawals over the years following her benefits deposits, never notifying the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) nor the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that she died.”
The investigation was conducted by the SSA and VA Offices of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Zenzinger is prosecuting the case.
Federal law provides a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine for wire fraud offenses. Sentencing may also include supervised release following imprisonment. The final sentence will be determined by the judge based on federal statutes and sentencing guidelines.
Burke’s sentencing date has not yet been set.
