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Son Steals $80K In Pension Benefits Issued To Deceased Father On Long Island, DA Says

For more than two years after his Long Island father’s death, a man stole thousands of dollars worth of his pension payments, prosecutors alleged.

For more than two years after his Long Island father’s death, a man stole thousands of dollars worth of his pension payments, prosecutors alleged.

For more than two years after his Long Island father’s death, a man stole thousands of dollars worth of his pension payments, prosecutors alleged.

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Michael Mashburn
@mistermashburn Email me Read More Stories

Richard Gaines Jr., age 51, of Daytona Beach, Florida, was arraigned on grand larceny and related charges in Nassau County Court on Friday, Nov. 22.

Prosecutors said Gaines’ father, a former Long Beach resident, was the sole account holder of a bank account in which he received his New York State and Local Retirement System pension via direct deposit.

After his father died in November 2019, pension deposits continued to flow into the account, totaling $79,943. Gaines finally reported the man’s death in June 2022, after which the payments stopped.

Investigators determined that during that period, Gaines made over 130 ATM withdrawals from his father’s account in New York, New Jersey, Georgia, and Florida and used his debit card to make numerous purchases.

“Mr. Gaines allegedly exploited his father’s death to pocket nearly $80,000 he was not entitled to,” said New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said. “I will continue to work with law enforcement across the state and country to protect the pension fund.

Gaines surrendered to Nassau County DA detectives on Friday, Nov. 22. He is charged with the following grand larceny and identity theft. 

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