Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

More Crime & Courts Stories»

NY Man Posed as Dead Mom in Alleged Fraud Scheme

He denies being modern Norman Bates

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 17, 2009 5:14 PM CDT

(Newser) – Shades of Norman Bates in Psycho: A Brooklyn man accused of dressing up as his dead mom to collect Social Security checks and rent subsidies worth $115,000 has been indicted on 47 counts of grand larceny, forgery, and conspiracy, the New York Daily News reports. Thomas Prusik-Parkin, 49, and his accomplice, who posed as the frail woman's nephew, face 25 years in prison and have pleaded not guilty.

The elaborate 6-year scam began when Prusik-Parkin gave the funeral director the wrong Social Security number for his mother so her death wouldn't register. A man who now owns Prusik-Parkin's foreclosed $2.2 million home tipped off authorities, who weren't fooled by the schemer's red dress, dark sunglasses, and scarf covering his Adam's apple. "He has rather large hands," said one.

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

Thomas Prusik Parkin wore drag while posing as his dead mother. (Kings County District Attorney)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Mark Twain said truth is stranger than fiction and this is a great example of that.
- Brooklyn District Attorney
Charles Hynes

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Performance Artist to Give Birth Live

She calls it 'The Birth of Baby X'

(NEWSER) - Audience members may want to bring smelling salts and a few handkerchiefs for this one. A Brooklyn performance artist says she will give birth before a live audience at her new installation, "The Birth of Baby X," the New York Post reports. “I hope that people will see that human life itself is the most profound work of art, and that therefore giving birth, the greatest expression of life, is the highest form of art,” says performance artist Marni Kotak. More»

Levi Aron Fed Brooklyn Boy Drugs Before Killing

Killer gave Leiby Kletzky muscle relaxers, anti-psychotic drug, Tylenol

(NEWSER) - Leiby Kletzky was heavily drugged before his killer smothered, then dismembered him, according to a medical examiner. Hardware store clerk Levi Aron allegedly gave the 8-year-old Brooklyn boy a muscle relaxant, painkillers, and quetiapine—an anti-psychotic used to treat schizophrenia, reports NBC . Autopsy results also indicate that Leiby was killed on July 13, two days after he was kidnapped and mere hours before cops arrived at Aron's apartment to discover the grisly scene. More»

Zazi Pleads Guilty in NYC Subway Terror Plot

Airport shuttle driver points finger at US actions in Afghanistan

(AP) - A former Denver airport shuttle driver today admitted to a plot to bomb the New York City subways, saying he was recruited by al-Qaeda in Pakistan for a "martyrdom plan" against the US. Najibullah Zazi, 25, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction, conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country and providing material support for a terrorist organization. He faces a life prison sentence without parole at a sentencing in June. More»

Cops: Con Man Scammed $140K From Online Dates

Posed as multimillionaire pal of George Bush

(NEWSER) - A New York lothario posing as a multimillionaire Navy commander and confidante of George Bush scammed close to $140,000 from women he met on online dating sites, according to Westchester authorities. After cultivating relationships with women met on sites like Match.com, Jesus Nasser asked for loans, explaining that he was suddenly in dire financial straits for a host of reasons, reports the Journal News . He has been charged with larceny, fraud and tax felonies, and faces up to 15 years if convicted. More»

AT&T Resumes Web Sales of iPhones in NYC

Network issues may still be reason for blocking transactions

(NEWSER) - AT&T has lifted its ban on selling New York City residents iPhones online, but the reason for the shutdown remains unclear. Customer service reps at first said New York was not "ready for the iPhone," then offered nebulous explanations about "increased fraudulent activity" in the area. But a statement on AT&T's corporate website simply asserts the firm's right to "periodically modify our promotions and distribution channels." More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

NY Man Posed as Dead Mom in Alleged Fraud Scheme