Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Collecting Deceased Mother-in-law’s Social Security Benefits for 18 Years
An Allegheny County man pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government money, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Melvin P. McMillan, 67, of Pittsburgh, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that McMillan received and used the Social Security Title II benefits that continued to be issued to his mother-in-law, Pauline Kasenic, after her death in 1994. From Nov. 3, 1994 to June 1, 2012, McMillan received $224,370.00 in Social Security Administration funds to which benefits he knew he was not entitled.
Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for Oct. 15, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 year in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentence, the court placed McMillan on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the information in this case.
An Allegheny County man pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government money, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Melvin P. McMillan, 67, of Pittsburgh, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that McMillan received and used the Social Security Title II benefits that continued to be issued to his mother-in-law, Pauline Kasenic, after her death in 1994. From Nov. 3, 1994 to June 1, 2012, McMillan received $224,370.00 in Social Security Administration funds to which benefits he knew he was not entitled.
Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for Oct. 15, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 10 year in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentence, the court placed McMillan on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the information in this case.