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Mount Vernon resident Rochelle Rose, 40, was arrested this week for allegedly collecting $60,285 in pension payments from her dead mother. That stolen money was then used for personal expenses such as cellphone bills, a car loan, insurance and utility bills, according to New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr., who announced the arrest on Thursday.
DiNapoli said that an investigation into the pension plan found that Rose had “kept her deceased mother’s bank account open in order to collect her mother’s pension payments."
Rose’s scheme was uncovered by DiNapoli’s office, and is being prosecuted by members of Scarpino’s office.
“Ms. Rose thought she could deceive the retirement system and live off her deceased mother’s pension,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “Now, due to my partnership with District Attorney Scarpino, she is being held accountable for her actions. This case sends a clear message to those who would exploit a relative’s death and steal pension benefits from the New York State and Local Retirement System.”
“Stealing from public funds hurts everyone,” Scarpino added. “This is another case where the State Comptroller’s Office has been instrumental in routing out corruption here in Westchester County. Our valuable partnership with State Comptroller DiNapoli helps protect the interests of the people of our county and state.”
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