A Bradford County resident has pleaded guilty to wire fraud after admitting to withdrawing over $350,000 in federal benefits intended for his deceased mother. Richard Burke, 76, of Milan, Pennsylvania, entered the plea on September 24, 2025, before Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann.
According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Burke accessed $350,634.23 from his late mother’s Social Security Retirement, Survivors and Disability (RSDI) benefits and Veterans Affairs death pension payments between April 2005 and March 7, 2022. Authorities said that after his mother died in 2005, Burke continued using her bank card to make regular cash withdrawals from her account without notifying the U.S. Social Security Administration or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“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 offense carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine under federal law. Sentencing could also include supervised release following imprisonment. The judge will determine Burke’s sentence based on federal statutes and sentencing guidelines.
Burke’s sentencing date has not yet been set.
