Bradford County Man Sentenced for $350K Wire Fraud

76-year-old ordered to pay restitution and serve probation for nearly 17-year scheme.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 8:47am

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A 76-year-old Bradford County, Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to repay over $350,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to wire fraud. Richard Burke withdrew Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits that continued to be deposited into his late mother's bank account for nearly 17 years after her death in 2005.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of promptly reporting the death of benefit recipients to government agencies to prevent fraud and misuse of taxpayer funds. The lengthy duration of Burke's scheme also raises questions about oversight mechanisms to detect and deter such long-running fraud.

The details

According to prosecutors, from April 2005 through March 2022, Burke withdrew Social Security Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance benefits as well as Veterans Affairs death pension payments that were still being deposited into his late mother's bank account. Burke's mother had passed away in 2005, but he failed to notify the Social Security Administration or Department of Veterans Affairs, allowing him to continue accessing the funds illegally.

  • Burke's mother died in 2005.
  • The fraud scheme spanned nearly 17 years, from April 2005 through March 2022.

The players

Richard Burke

A 76-year-old man from Bradford County, Pennsylvania who pleaded guilty to wire fraud for illegally withdrawing over $350,000 in Social Security and Veterans Affairs benefits from his late mother's bank account.

Brian D. Miller

U.S. Attorney who prosecuted the case against Richard Burke.

Matthew W. Brann

Chief U.S. District Judge in the Middle District of Pennsylvania who sentenced Richard Burke.

Robin Zenzinger

Assistant U.S. Attorney who handled the prosecution of Richard Burke.

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What they’re saying

“This case highlights the importance of promptly reporting the death of benefit recipients to government agencies to prevent fraud and misuse of taxpayer funds.”

— Brian D. Miller, U.S. Attorney

What’s next

The judge will monitor Burke's compliance with the one-year probation sentence and restitution order.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for stronger oversight and verification processes at government benefit agencies to quickly identify and address instances of long-running fraud, in order to protect taxpayer funds and maintain public trust.