Thomas Parkin

Brooklyn, New York, man Thomas Parkin was arrested on June 15, 2009, after he allegedly impersonated his deceased mother for six years to receive Social Security checks and rent subsidies.http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,526878,00.html

He was arraigned on June 17, 2009, and charged with forgery, conspiracy and grand larceny.http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,526878,00.html

In 2003, Parkin's mother, Irene Prusik passed away at the age of 73. Parkin allegedly gave the funeral home a fraudulent Social Security number and birth date, so the U.S. Government would not be notified of the death. Starting right after the funeral, Parkin allegedly began dressing as his mother, wearing a wig, dress, makeup and walking with a cane when he would visit the bank or other public offices to cash checks of renew Prusik's drivers license. Prosecutors claim Mhilton Rimolo helped Parkin pull off the scam, posing as Prusik's nephew in public.http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,526878,00.html

In addition to the $700 monthly social security checks Parkin was receiving, Parkin reportedly filed bankruptcy posing as his mother, allowing him to receive $39,000 city subsidies to play for his apartment. The home he shared with his mother, which was deeded to Parkin in 1996, fell into foreclosure. In an attempt to keep the home, Parkin, posing as Prusik, sued himself essentially, stating that Parkin forged the deed.http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2009/06/son-posed-as-mother-for-6-years-in-alleged-scam.html