New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, recently announced the arrest of Linda Burrows of the town of Fillmore in Allegany County for the alleged theft of $29,893 in state pension checks sent to her deceased stepfather. The comptroller was joined in the announcement by Allegany County District Attorney Ian Jones, and the New York […]
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, recently announced the arrest of Linda Burrows of the town of Fillmore in Allegany County for the alleged theft of $29,893 in state pension checks sent to her deceased stepfather.
The comptroller was joined in the announcement by Allegany County District Attorney Ian Jones, and the New York State Police.
“Linda Burrows allegedly concealed her stepfather’s death and forged his name in order to steal benefits from the pension fund,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “My office will continue to partner with law enforcement, to protect the integrity of our pension system and I thank District Attorney Jones and the state Police for working with us to hold Burrows accountable.”
Burrows’ mother retired as a custodian for the Yorkshire Pioneer Central School District and received a monthly pension through the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS). When Burrow’s mother passed away in 2019, her pension went to her designated beneficiary, which was her husband, who was Burrows’ stepfather.
When he died the following year, the pension payments should have stopped, the comptroller said. Instead, Burrows, who lived at their address, allegedly forged her deceased stepfather’s signature over the next 23 months and deposited the checks in a joint account. She allegedly spent $8,752 of the money at various casinos during that time.
When NYSLRS became aware of her stepfather’s death, it halted the pension payments.
Burrows was charged with grand larceny in the third degree, forgery in the second degree, and possession of a forged instrument in the second degree. She is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 12 in the Town of Hume Court.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “This arrest is another example of how dedicated police work and strong law enforcement partnerships are succeeding in tackling pension fraud. The alleged actions by Ms. Burrows will be fully investigated to bring justice and closure to this case. I commend the dedicated work put forth by our State Police members, the Comptroller’s Office, and the Allegany County District Attorney’s Office in making this arrest.”
The charges filed in this case are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law, the comptroller’s office stressed.
