Philadelphia Man Charged With Lying About Mother's Death And Illegally Receiving Her Benefits

PHILADELPHIA – Clarence Norwood, Jr., also known as Isaiah H. Tolson, 55, of Philadelphia, PA, was charged by information with theft of government funds and making false statements, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

According to the information, Norwood accessed his deceased mother’s bank account and improperly received the Civil Service Retirement System benefit payments intended for his mother, whose death had not been reported to the Office of Personnel Management.  It is further alleged that when a letter was mailed to Norwood’s mother’s residence, Norwood falsely certified that his mother was still alive but had had a stroke and could not sign the response.  Between August 2011 and November 2013, Norwood allegedly improperly received $115,440.65 in benefit payments that he was not entitled to receive.

If convicted the defendant faces a possible sentencing guideline range of at least 10 to 16 months in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and full restitution of $115,440.65.

The case was investigated by the Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia M. Freind.

An Information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.