Pa. Man Submits Fake Obit for Mom to Get Time Off
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The Jeffersonian Democrat
Authorities say a 45-year-old Brookville, Pa., man took booking off work to a new level by submitting a fake obituary for his living mother to a local newspaper.
Scott Bennett sent an obit notice to The Jeffersonian Democrat to get paid bereavement time for his job at a local factory, the Brookville police chief told ABC News.
Dworek said the man’s mother was “rather upset with it all,” though the police did not record a statement from her.
“In 46 years of police work this is the first time I’ve ever heard of this happening,” Dworek said. “You think you’ve heard it all.”
The Jeffersonian Democrat editor Randy Bartley says he accepted the obituary in good faith after being unable to confirm the funeral arrangements at press time, according to the AP. The Derrick, a newspaper covering Western Pennsylvania, reported on Friday the woman was understanding when he spoke to her.
“My only comment at this time is that I regret any problems this may have caused the Bennett family,” Bartley told ABC News.
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Well, he has alot of time off now. IDIOT!
Posted by: Thoughtyouknew | December 12, 2011, 11:38 am 11:38 am
This is the same thing that Obama does, lies about something to get something else done. This is just a typical reaction of most democrats and most Americans are really tired of hearing lies after lies after lies. On the other side of this is a man named Newt, who tells it like it is and if you don’t like it, don’t vote for him, however, the polls say that most people likehim.
Posted by: Robert Williamson | December 12, 2011, 11:43 am 11:43 am
Mr Williamson,
With all due respect–how do you know that Mr. Bennett is a Democrat? It seems to me that this is the kind of flummery that afflicts both parties.
Posted by: twalker742 | December 12, 2011, 11:54 am 11:54 am
This was more than just seeking time off, he was going to extreme lengths to embezzle bereavement pay as well … As far as him being a “Democrat” … hahahaha … we ALL know registered republicans “never” commit crimes like embezzlement … hahahahaha!
Posted by: yeah.i.said.it | December 12, 2011, 12:16 pm 12:16 pm
I can’t help but wonder what kind of workplace would necessitate a person taking such drastic measures to get time off.
Posted by: Taintedbylies | December 12, 2011, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm
Pure and complete selfish Idiocy!
How would he think that the newspaper would not be responsible enough to attempt verification?
How would he not think about his mother possibly coming across her own obituary, personally, or with the help of friends seeing it?
What criminal charge does this carry anyways? Do they even have a law on the book that would cover falsely reporting a death to a newspaper?
If it wasn’t so sick, it would be very funny!
Posted by: David | December 12, 2011, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm
ROBERT WILLIAMSON wrote: “This is the same thing that Obama does, lies about something to get something else done. This is just a typical reaction of most democrats and most Americans are really tired of hearing lies after lies after lies. On the other side of this is a man named Newt, who tells it like it is and if you don’t like it, don’t vote for him, however, the polls say that most people likehim.”
LOL, this is the funniest thing I’ve read in a while, thanks!
Name me ONE lie Obama has told. Just one. I’m curious. Not something you THINK was/is a lie, not a mistatement or error, but a documented LIE; a provable, intentional falsehood.
On the other hand, Mr. Gingrich was cited 84 TIMES for ethics violations while in Congress, INCLUDING for LYING to the ethics panel to try and cover his tracks on TAX FRAUD and MISAPROPRIATION OF FUNDS, and fined $300,000 (the largest such fine ever levied by Congress against one of its own).
He was also a serial ADULTERER (which typically involves LYING).
And a paid lobbyist (though he claims he never “lobbied”, only offered “advice” as a “historian”) who has already been caught in a LIE about his work for Freddie Mac.
But OBAMA is the big fat liar and Gingrich is a paragon of honesty and virtue? REALLY? Just WOW.
Posted by: Raven | December 12, 2011, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
Poor Robert Williamson. You must DREAM about President Obama. This story has nothing to do with politics. Their is an “app” for that I’m sure. Get out more, do your best to raise money for your chosen candidate and try to defeat President Obama in 2012. Then when he’s re-elected, you won’t want to do any harm to yourself. LOL.
Posted by: Clt | December 12, 2011, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm
And I thought my employee telling me he had his appendix taken out (he was back the next day) was pushing it.
Posted by: Christi | December 12, 2011, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
Same thing has happened at places where I worked. Nowadays, some companies don’t even give time off and people are resorting to desperate measures. Not saying it was right what he did, but companies need to stop working people to death.
Posted by: oleironleg01 | December 12, 2011, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm
Luckily his mother has two other sons and a daughter – at least one of whom may have more sense than the joker who’s now Scott-free and looking for work. Christmas should be interesting this year.
Posted by: Cassandra | December 12, 2011, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
Thank you RAVEN and thank you CLT! Well said Obama 2012! But I do understand this story wasn’t about politics. It was pretty funny though, I mean did he really think he was gonna get away with it?
Posted by: HereInOmaha | December 12, 2011, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
Ten million people (officially) out of work and this guy was upset that he had to spend time working at a job?
Posted by: MyTake | December 12, 2011, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
I feel sorry for Robert Williamson, it must be hard to function when born without a brain. Blaming all the worlds troubles on one man or one party, while he is sitting in a chair typing instead of taking real action like running for office. I suppose he is not unlike the man in this story, finding some lame excuse to do something even more stupid, like linking an unrelated crime story with a future election
Posted by: Daimen Bokk | December 12, 2011, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm
MY company gives 64 personal hours a year, no excuse, reason, nothing needed. and it seems to work really well, in fact I know a few people who have asked for their left over hours to be rolled over. It makes things easy for everyone, especially when there is an emergency at home, no hassles for anyone, just use the hours.
Posted by: Daimen Bokk | December 12, 2011, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
“One of the reasons we didn’t file more serious charges was he has enough problems as it is”–Police Chief Ken Dworek
How about “We didn’t file more charges because our first one was completely unconstitutional!” You do not put people in jail for what they put in the newspaper. Sometimes people have filed false obits as sick jokes. Mr. Bennett was not defrauding social security. The funeral home got free advertising.
Pro tip, Dworek, we don’t put people in jail anymore for criminal libel. We have this thing called the First Amendment that pretty well covers what people write in newspapers. And yes, commercial speech is protected, too. Maybe you should read it.
Posted by: Barney Fife | December 12, 2011, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm
Wow WILLIAMSON, you must be proud knowing that your
the first proof that evolution can be reversed. If you can’t
find a job, we all have no doubt why this is the case.
Posted by: michael | December 13, 2011, 12:15 am 12:15 am
Perhaps one would like to examine there benefit package.. if any exists? Most American Companies whine and moan they can’t compete while there European Competitors compete quite nicely while being mandated to provide at least 30 days off a year!
Posted by: Jeffery Yoder | December 13, 2011, 9:05 am 9:05 am
Sounds like an Obama supporter. Maybe this is how many in the Occupy movement were able to get out of work to participate.
Posted by: Guy | December 14, 2011, 12:56 am 12:56 am