Joseph Taradyna of Wyckoff is charged with theft by deception.
Bergen County prosecutors say the 48-year-old Taradyna shared a bank account with his mother, and he never notified VA officials after she died in April 2009. He then continued to receive wire transfers that were deposited into the account by the VA for the next five years, collecting $72,900 overall that he used for personal expenses.
It was not known Tuesday if Taradyna has retained an attorney. A phone number for him could not be located.
