3 charged with collecting late mothers' SS checks

CLEVELAND

Three Mahoning County residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges they stole thousands of dollars in Social Security benefits issued in the names of their mothers after failing to report their mothers’ deaths, the U.S. attorney announced Tuesday.

Those indicted and the reported amounts stolen were Bruce A. Keck, 54, of Poland, $31,420; Aretha V. Blankenship, 42, of Campbell, $13,672; and Cecil H. Miller Jr., 62, of Youngstown, $74,437.

Miller also was charged with bankruptcy fraud after authorities said he fraudulently transferred and concealed two Youngstown properties in contemplation of a bankruptcy filing. The U.S. attorney said he then made a false statement under oath to the bankruptcy trustee.