Free Republic

He was thought to be the oldest man in Tokyo - but when officials went to congratulate Sogen Kato on his 111th birthday, they uncovered mummified skeletal remains lying in his bed. Mr Kato may have been dead for 30 years according to Japanese authorities. They grew suspicious when they went to honour Mr Kato at his address in Adachi ward, but his granddaughter told them he "doesn't want to see anybody". Police are now investigating the family on possible fraud charges. ...They discovered a mummified body, believed to be Kato, lying in his bed, wearing underwear and pyjamas, covered...

Aug. 02, 2002 Beneficiaries of $2 million? The deadBy Cynthia BurtonInquirer Staff WriterAt least $2 million in city pension funds went to 96 people who are definitely dead and 23 others most likely dead, according to an audit released by City Controller Jonathan Saidel yesterday."I see dead people, and they're collecting city pension checks," he quipped, referring to the movie The Sixth Sense about a boy who communicated with dead Philadelphians.The controller secured death certificates for the 96. His auditors concluded the other 23 were most likely dead because their deaths had been reported to the Social Security Administration.The controller...