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    The Sideshow

    Man prints fake obituary of own mom to get day off work

    A 45-year-old Pennsylvania man has been charged with a crime after publishing a fake obituary of his own mother in order to get time off work.

    It sounds like the sort of unfeeling stunt worthy of "Seinfeld" character George Costanza, but Scott Bennett has been charged with disorderly conduct after sending in the fake obituary to the Jeffersonian Democrat newspaper, which then ran the story. Democrat editor Randy Bartley said the obituary was accepted in good faith, even though his staff had been unable  to confirm the funeral arrangement details as of press time.

    And to paraphrase the famous Mark Twain line, reports of the woman's death were greatly exaggerated.

    Bennet's mother was, indeed, the whistleblower in the case, placing a series of calls to Bartley and Democrat staffers, insisting she was in fact still alive.

    But like any good journalism outlet, the Jeffersonian Democrat needed more facts. So Ms. Bennett showed up to the paper in person to prove her existence. Bartley said that, all things considered, she was "very understanding" about her own falsely reported death.

    Police Chief Ken Dworek says Bennett wrote up the memorial notice because he didn't want to get fired for taking time off.

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    9 comments

    • katie  •  Peoria, United States  •  5 mths ago
      At least he didn't kill his mom to get out of work...
    • Kryptik  •  Ranson, United States  •  5 mths ago
      Well thought out. An inspiration to others. Hope this catches on. Some people really want a job and will show up even if Mom croaks.
    • Auntie Boo  •  Salt Lake City, United States  •  5 mths ago
      What a jerk !! Joking about or faking a parents' death is inexcusable. He should be fired anyway, just for what he did. I'm glad he's being prosecuted. Throw the book at him.
    • zig16  •  Brockton, United States  •  5 mths ago
      It sure beats the old tired "dog ate my lunch" excuse. A for effort!
    • Leo Batfish  •  Elmhurst, United States  •  5 mths ago
      He should of printed that he died. Maybe him work would of felt sorry for him, being dead and all and let him keep his job. A doctors note would of been fine. lol
    • J.M.  •  Phoenix, United States  •  5 mths ago
      LOL maybe not very smart but nice try!
    • Belial  •  Knoxville, United States  •  5 mths ago
      This is whats wrong with America these days, you can't even pretend your own mom is dead to get out of work, for shame.lol
    • gizmo  •  Fair Oaks, United States  •  5 mths ago
      So how was he going to be able to get time off when she really died?

      Idjit.
    • Steve  •  5 mths ago
      This is nothing, I know a man, James Buford, who killed off (claimed) his mother, father, his wifes mother, wifes father, had all died in a year, took off several weeks, all at different times thoughout the Year. The management at Ishikawa Gasket in Bowling Green Ohio were so stupid they believed the whole story. and yes it takes a real lowlife.
      • katie 5 mths ago
        I think James is now at my work but changed his name...
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