CHICAGO – Richard Young Jr., 61, of Maywood, Illinois, is facing federal charges after allegedly pilfering over $178,683 in Social Security benefits meant for his deceased father. A Chicago grand jury indicted Young on four counts of bank fraud and one count of embezzlement of government funds, accusing him of a brazen scheme to siphon money from a vital program meant for retirees.
The indictment details a calculated fraud that began seven years after Young’s father died in 2006. In 2013, Young allegedly filed a Social Security application in the name of his dead father. The Social Security Administration, unaware of the deception, approved the application and began direct-depositing benefits into a bank account still listed under the deceased man’s name. For eight years, from 2015 to 2021, Young allegedly had full access to the funds.
But this wasn’t about providing for a forgotten relative. The indictment paints a picture of lavish spending. Young allegedly used the stolen funds for personal expenses, including frequent trips to casinos, meals at restaurants, gas, and retail purchases. The government alleges a deliberate pattern of abuse, draining a system meant to support vulnerable seniors.
“The indictment accuses Mr. Young of fraudulently obtaining benefits for years from a critically important retirement program,” stated U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros of the Northern District of Illinois. “Social Security fraud threatens the very foundation of a program that many millions of hard-working Americans depend upon in retirement—and which taxpayers fund through their hard-earned income. My Office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute anyone who seeks to fraudulently obtain Social Security or other program benefits.”
Young pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Young B. Kim. A status hearing is scheduled for July 23, 2025, before U.S. District Judge John F. Kness. Assistant U.S. Attorney Niranjan Emani is prosecuting the case, with support from Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General for Audit at the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. The feds are clearly sending a message: stealing from Social Security won’t be tolerated.
It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is merely an accusation. Young is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. If convicted on the bank fraud charges, he faces up to 30 years in federal prison per count. The embezzlement charge carries a maximum sentence of ten years. This case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some will go to exploit government programs and the vigilance required to protect taxpayer dollars.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
