Irvin Cooper, Theft of Government Funds, New Jersey 2014

Grimy Times Exclusive

In a shocking case of government benefits abuse, 65-year-old Irvin Cooper, of Delran, New Jersey, has pleaded guilty to collecting over $98,000 in Retirement Savings benefits and Veterans Affairs Dependency and Indemnity Compensation payments meant for his deceased mother.

According to court documents, Cooper intentionally failed to notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of his mother’s death in December 2006, allowing him to continue receiving her SSA survivor benefit checks and the VA’s Dependency and Indemnity Compensation checks.

The SSA and VA discovered the death in April 2014 and continued to deposit the checks electronically into a PNC Bank account in his mother’s name. Cooper admitted to accessing the account at various times and using the money to pay for personal expenses.

Cooper pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds, a charge that carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for March 26, 2015.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office credits special agents of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, for their investigation leading to Cooper’s guilty plea.

Irvin Cooper, 65, of Delran, New Jersey, is accused of collecting $98,454 in Retirement Savings benefits and Veterans Affairs Dependency and Indemnity Compensation payments meant for his deceased mother.

Cooper’s defense counsel is James K. Grace Esq., of Mount Holly, New Jersey.

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