Philadelphia police officer's widower charged with fraud in benefits collection
PHILADELPHIA - The widower of a Philadelphia police officer who died while on duty has been charged with fraud after authorities say he collected hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of workers compensation death benefits after he had remarried.
The Philadelphia district attorney's office announced charges of theft by deception, insurance fraud and theft by unlawful taking late Wednesday against 67-year-old John Higgins.
Court records did not list an attorney for Higgins Thursday, but showed that he had been released without bail.
Higgins' former wife, police officer Sharon Higgins, died of a heart attack while on duty in 1987.
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