WILLIAMSPORT, Pennsylvania – Richard Burke, a 76-year-old man from Milan, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Burke pleaded guilty on September 24, 2025, before Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann to a criminal information charging him with wire fraud.
According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, from April 2005 until March 7, 2022, Burke withdrew $350,634.23 of his deceased mother’s Social Security Retirement, Survivors and Disability (RSDI) benefits and Veterans Affairs death pension benefit payments from her bank account.
Burke used his deceased mother’s bank card to make regular cash withdrawals over the years following her benefits deposits, never notifying the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) nor the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that she died.
This case was investigated by the SSA and VA, Office of the Inspector General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Zenzinger is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the offense is 20 years and a fine. A sentence for this offense may also include a period of supervised release following imprisonment.
Burke’s sentencing is not yet scheduled.
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant Name: Richard Burke
Criminal Charges: Wire Fraud
City and State: Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Crime Date: April 2005 until March 7, 2022
Sentence: Pending
Dollar Amount: $350,634.23
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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