Man admits he collected $250,000 in Social Security benefits for mom 16 years after she died

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A Rhode Island man has admitted to collecting over $250,000 in Social Security benefits intended for his mother for 16 years after she died.

Luke Clarke, 72, appeared in U.S. District Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to theft of government funds. He will be sentenced in November, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha.

The Social Security Administration was never notified of the woman's death in 1998. Clarke continued to receive the $1,517 monthly check that was deposited into a joint bank account until late 2014.

Clarke collected a total of $257,959, according to the Providence Journal.