Man allegedly dresses up as dead mom in weird scam

[June 19, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- A 49-year-old man has been charged with dressing up as his dead mother as part of a creepy scam to collect government benefits. Thomas Parkin was to appear in court in Brooklyn on Thursday to face grand larceny, criminal impersonation and other charges. The name of his lawyer was not immediately available.

Prosecutors allege that Parkin concealed the 2003 death of his mother, Irene Prusik, by giving false information for her death certificate. They say for six years, he collected tens of thousands of dollars in Social Security and housing benefits using her identity. Authorities say Parkin wore a wig and a dress while renewing his mother's driver's license earlier this year. [Associated Press] Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.