N.J man admits stealing $256,000 in veterans benefits after parent’s death, feds say

A Mercer County man admitted last week that he illegally obtained over $256,000 in veterans benefits following the death of his father and mother, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Mark Stratton, 67, of Lawrence Township, pleaded guilty in Trenton federal court on Sept. 25 to theft of public money, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs provided disability benefits to Stratton’s father, which were passed to Stratton’s mother after his father died, the office said. Those benefits were paid monthly through electronic funds into a joint bank account held by both Stratton and his mother.

After Stratton’s mother died in 2008, the benefits should have been terminated; however, Stratton did not noti