Newport News man pleads guilty to stealing nearly $63K in Social Security benefits from dead neighbor
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - A 62-year-old Newport News man has admitted in federal court to taking tens of thousands of dollars in Social Security benefits that continued to be deposited after his neighbor died.
What we know:
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, beginning on July 5, 2018, Alonzo Darren McClary held power of attorney to make decisions for his elderly neighbor in the event the neighbor was incapacitated or passed away. McClary occasionally withdrew funds from the neighbor’s bank account to assist the neighbor as needed.
After the neighbor passed away on Feb. 20, 2020, the Social Security Administration continued to pay benefits into the neighbor’s bank account. Rather than inform the agency of the death, McClary continued to withdraw money from the account.
Prosecutors say McClary caused a benefit overpayment of $62,957.92, which he stole for his personal use.
McClary pleaded guilty Tuesday to theft of government property.
What's next:
McClary is scheduled to be sentenced on May 19. He faces up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Source: This article was written using information from a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.