Man Fakes Mom’s Death To Get Paid Time Off From Work

Scott Bennett, a 45-year-old Pennsylvania man, has been charged with disorderly conduct after he wrote up an obituary for his mother, had it published in the local paper and then got paid time off for bereavement. There’s just one hitch: Bennett’s mom is still alive and well.

That’s right, Bennett faked his mother’s death. All so that he could take a little break from work (no word on what he does for a living, but I’m hoping it’s something ridiculously stressful).

I think that everyone would agree that Bennett’s plan was beyond stupid. For starters, he was bound to get caught (note to Bennett: people actually read the newspaper). Second, it’s totally unethical and it belittles all the people who truly do need time off for bereavement. Finally, isn’t this guy at all worried about karma?

Maybe I’m just crazy-slash-overly superstitious, but I’m afraid even of using the whole, “Sorry, my kid is sick” excuse to get out of social obligations. I feel like if I say it, it’ll come true. (Not to say I don’t tell little while lies “I was up all night with the kids” is a good one but that’s different that faking someone’s illness… never mind their DEATH!).

Anyway, Bennett got caught when relatives spotted this woman’s obit in The Jeffersonian Democrat and called the paper to say that she’s alive. (Mom herself later visited the paper’s offices to prove it.) Editor Randy Bartley says he accepted the obituary from Bennett in good faith after being unable to confirm the funeral arrangements at press time.

Of course, I’m curious to know how Bennett’s mom felt about the whole thing. I know that I’d be pissed (who wouldn’t?!). But Bartley told a different newspaper, The Derrick, that the woman was actually very understanding.

Police Chief Ken Dworek said Bennett wrote the death notice to avoid getting fired for taking time off. Lucky for Bennett, he’ll now get all the time off his little heart desires.

(Photo: Kenneth V. Pilon/Shutterstock)