California man risks up to 25 years in prison after posing as his late mother for over three DECADES – stole $830,000 in benefits and made $28,000 in credit cards
- Donald Felix Zampach, 65, began the ruse after his mother died in Japan in 1990
- For more than 30 years, he forged her signature on state benefits applications and federal income tax returns — and kept track of her bank accounts
- He was eventually discovered by the Justice Department and pleaded guilty to at least one count of money laundering and Social Security fraud.
A California man could face up to 25 years in prison after admitting to impersonating his late mother for more than three decades to claim hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefits and accumulate credit card debt.
Donald Felix Zampach, 65, began the ruse after his mother died in Japan in 1990.
For more than 30 years, he forged her signature on state benefits applications and federal income tax returns – and maintained her bank accounts to receive her widow’s pension.
He was eventually discovered by the Justice Department and pleaded guilty to at least one count of money laundering and Social Security fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of California.
Zampach also admitted using his mother’s identity to fraudulently open credit accounts with at least nine different financial institutions, charging more than $28,000 in fees.
A California man risks up to 25 years in prison after admitting to impersonating his late mother for more than three decades to accept hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefits and credit card charges
He also used the money to pay off the mortgage on his home in Poway, a San Diego suburb, which he transferred to himself before she died, then filed for bankruptcy without disclosing ownership.
As part of his criminal forfeiture, he will have to give that house to the government to pay restitution.
Knut Johnson, his court-appointed attorney, told the San Diego Union Tribune Zampach was “extremely sorry.”
“He has accepted full responsibility and will do everything in his power to make amends for what happened.”
“This crime is considered the longest-running and largest fraud of its kind in this district,” U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman said in the press release.
“This defendant didn’t just passively collect checks sent to his deceased mother. This was an extensive fraud that spanned more than three decades and required aggressive action and deceit to maintain the ruse.”
Grossman noted that Zampach was trying to convince investigators that his mother was still alive.
He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine for money laundering.
Donald Felix Zampach, 65, began the ruse after his mother died in Japan in 1990
Zampach faces an additional five years in prison and an additional $250,000 fine for Social Security fraud.
“For more than three decades, Mr. Zampach failed to report his mother’s death to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and used more than $250,000 in benefits on himself,” said Gail S. Ennis, SSA inspector general.
“We will continue to pursue and hold accountable those who defraud SSA.”