A Kansas couple has been sentenced to prison for unlawfully taking Social Security and retirement benefits from a deceased relative. Lynn Ritter, 62, and Kirk Ritter, 62, both residents of Overland Park, admitted guilt to charges of wire fraud and theft of government funds.
Lynn Ritter received a sentence of 12 months and one day in prison, while Kirk Ritter was sentenced to seven months. The Ritters lived with Lynn's father in Overland Park, where she served as his caretaker. On October 23, 2022, Kirk Ritter contacted the Overland Park Police Department to report that his father-in-law had died and his body was still in the residence. Authorities discovered the body in a mummified state and determined that he had passed away around July 1, 2016.
Following his death, $68,637 in pension payments and $147,429 in Social Security payments continued to be deposited into the deceased's bank account. The Ritters did not notify authorities about the death but instead used the funds for personal expenses by writing checks on the account and transferring money into their own accounts. They have since repaid these amounts during legal proceedings.
Mark Underwood from the U.S. Department of Labor commented on the case: “These sentencings show the Labor Department is committed to ensuring that justice is served for those who steal from retirement plans.”
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Overland Park Police Department, Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General, and U.S. Department of Labor. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble led the prosecution.