COMMACK, NY – A Commack man has admitted to stealing more than half a million dollars from his elderly parents, money that was supposed to cover nursing home expenses for his mother. Michael Goonan, 63, pleaded guilty on October 3, 2025, to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft.
Prosecutors said Goonan began siphoning money from his parents’ bank accounts in May 2018, writing checks payable to himself that he deposited into his own account. Over time, he stole a total of $600,480.
Court records show his mother was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and his father was also experiencing memory and cognitive decline. Goonan allegedly used the stolen funds to pay for personal expenses, including his mortgage and his children’s college tuition.
In August 2018, Goonan’s mother became a full-time resident of a nursing home. While Goonan initially made some payments to the facility, he stopped once his parents’ funds were depleted. This put his mother at risk of losing her placement, which ultimately exposed the theft.
Goonan surrendered to authorities on January 24, 2025. Under the terms of his guilty plea, he faces a potential sentence of 2 to 6 years in prison if he fails to repay $300,000 in restitution before his sentencing date. He is scheduled to return to court on November 25, 2025 for sentencing. Goonan is represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County.
Financial Crime
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Michael Goonan, 63, of Commack |
| Charge | Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class C felony) |
| Amount Stolen | $600,480 |
| Victims | Elderly parents — mother with Alzheimer’s disease, father with cognitive decline |
| Method | Issued certified and personal checks to himself, deposited into own account |
| Use of Funds | Personal expenses, mortgage payments, children’s college tuition |
| Date of Discovery | 2018, after failure to continue paying mother’s nursing home bills |
| Surrendered | January 24, 2025 |
| Plea Date | October 3, 2025 |
| Sentencing Date | November 25, 2025 |
| Potential Sentence | 2–6 years in prison (if restitution of $300,000 is not paid prior to sentencing) |
| Judge | Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony S. Senft |
Q&A Financial Crime
Q: Who is Michael Goonan?
He is a 63-year-old Commack resident who admitted to stealing more than $600,000 from his elderly parents between 2018 and 2019.
Q: How did Goonan steal the money?
Prosecutors said he wrote checks from his parents’ accounts payable to himself and deposited them into his own account, totaling $600,480.
Q: What were the circumstances of the victims?
Goonan’s mother was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and living in a nursing home, while his father was experiencing memory and cognitive decline.
Q: What did he use the money for?
Court records show he used the stolen funds for personal expenses, including his home mortgage and his children’s college tuition.
Q: How was the theft discovered?
Although Goonan initially paid for some nursing home costs, he eventually stopped once his parents’ money ran out, putting his mother at risk of losing her care. This led to the uncovering of the scheme.
Q: What penalties does he face?
Goonan faces 2 to 6 years in prison if he fails to make $300,000 in restitution before sentencing.
Q: When will he be sentenced?
He is scheduled for sentencing on November 25, 2025 in Suffolk County court.
