Poway

A Poway man pleaded guilty Monday to charges of cashing his dead father’s Navy retirement checks in a scheme that stretched over six years.

James Canning II agreed to make full restitution of more than $40,000 he obtained through misrepresentation since the death in 1977 of his father, James Canning, according to Assistant U.S. Atty. Charles S. Crandall.

Canning was charged in March with 35 counts of making false claims against the government. He pleaded guilty to two counts in a plea agreement with prosecutors. Under the agreement, prosecutors will request a prison term of no more than five years for Canning.

Authorities said the scam was discovered when an employee of a check-cashing agency questioned Canning’s claim that he was a Navy retiree.