WILLIAMSPORT – A sinister chapter in the annals of financial chicanery unfolded as Richard Burke, a 75-year-old from Milan, PA, was slapped with a severe charge of Wire Fraud by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The charges, announced on August 20, 2025, paint a grim picture of elder exploitation and deceit.
According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, the allegations against Burke are nothing short of chilling. They claim that from April 2005 until March 2022, the accused systematically siphoned off benefits payments from his deceased mother’s bank account, a heinous act that preyed on the most vulnerable among us. The staggering total amount stolen from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Veterans Affairs (VA) is $350,634.23.
This despicable case has been meticulously investigated by the U.S. Social Security Administration and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General (OIG). The justice system is now in the hands of Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Zenzinger, who is tasked with bringing this crook to justice.
The severity of Burke’s offense is not lost on the legal community. The maximum penalty under federal law for Wire Fraud is 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine that could leave him impoverished. A sentence may also include supervised release after his time in prison, ensuring he never again has the chance to prey upon the innocent.
However, it’s important to remember that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Burke is no exception. The final verdict will be decided by the judge, who will consider the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines before imposing his sentence.
As this grim tale of fraud unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of financial deceit and the importance of vigilant oversight to protect the most vulnerable among us. # # #
RELATED: Taos Pueblo Man Charged with Raping 3 Children
Related Federal Cases
- Mangis Sentenced For $70K Wire Fraud Scheme · Pennsylvania
- Arts & Crafts Fraud: Medicare Hit for $200K · Pennsylvania
- Finger-Painting Fraud: $200K Medicare Rip · Pennsylvania
- Art Fraud: $200K Medicare Scam · Pennsylvania
- Artful Dodge: Medicare Fraud Case Closed · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
