Zvonko Klapan, 68, of Liverpool, New York, was arraigned in Binghamton before Magistrate Judge Miroslav Lovric on July 28 on multiple counts of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and theft of government property. A grand jury indicted Klapan on June 18 as part of an ongoing effort by the Trump Administration’s Fraud Task Force to address fraud nationwide.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge at the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG), announced the charges. The indictment alleges that after Klapan’s mother-in-law died in 2016, he failed to notify the Social Security Administration and converted her benefits checks for nearly ten years. Between August 2016 and September 2025, Klapan allegedly forged her signature on monthly checks deposited into his own account. When Social Security switched to direct deposit only in September 2025, Klapan is accused of posing online as his deceased mother-in-law to continue receiving payments until April 2026. The indictment claims more than $142,400 was defrauded from the program.
“This defendant is finally facing justice after ten years of fraud, during which he stole and forged Social Security benefits checks intended for his deceased mother‑in‑law,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone. “He then brazenly expanded the scheme by using her name to apply online for direct deposit payments from the Social Security Administration into his own bank account. My office remains committed to uncovering and prosecuting fraudulent schemes like this that callously divert resources from legitimate surviving beneficiaries.”
“Allegedly exploiting a deceased beneficiary’s identity for personal gain over a decade is a deliberate theft from a program that millions of vulnerable Americans rely on,” said Amy Connelly. “Together with our prosecutorial and law enforcement partners, SSA OIG will continue pursuing those who steal taxpayer dollars through fraud and identity theft, regardless of how long they attempt to evade detection.”
The charges against Klapan carry potential penalties including up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud counts; up to 10 years for theft of government property; a mandatory two-year sentence for aggravated identity theft; possible restitution; and sentencing according to federal guidelines if convicted.
A jury trial is scheduled for September 21 before Chief Judge Brenda K. Sannes in Syracuse. SSA-OIG continues its investigation while Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Arne F. Soldwedel prosecutes the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice created its National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”), focusing on investigating and prosecuting those committing fraud against Americans as part of President Trump’s Task Force chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York covers federal criminal cases across an area exceeding 30,000 square miles with about 3.4 million residents; maintains offices in Albany, Binghamton, Plattsburgh and Syracuse; employs about fifty attorneys along with more than fifty support staff; coordinates law enforcement initiatives; conducts outreach programs; supports community wellness efforts; prosecutes federal criminal cases; defends civil matters involving the United States government; operates as part of the Department of Justice—according to its official website.