Pittsburgh Dad Stole Siblings’ Life Insurance

GRIMY NEWS ALERT: Pittsburgh resident William R. Cook Sr., 34, has pleaded guilty in federal court for his despicable scheme to steal $117,307.77 from his own siblings’ life insurance benefits.

Cook, who was the Postal Service employee Clarence Williams’ son, is accused of filling out forged federal forms, posing as his sister and two brothers, to claim their equal shares of their father’s Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI). The cunning criminal collected and spent all the money intended for his siblings without their consent.

When the ruse was exposed, the government had no choice but to compensate each of the three siblings with a check for $39,102.59, inflicting a heavy financial loss on the family.

Cook now faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or both, when he is sentenced on June 28, 2013, by Judge Terrence F. McVerry.

Assistant United States Attorney Nelson P. Cohen is the one leading the charge against this deceitful act, while the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Office of Inspector General conducted the thorough investigation that led to Cook’s indictment.

This case is a stark reminder of the lengths some will go to exploit their own family members for personal gain, and it serves as a stern warning to others.