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NEWS from the Office of the New York State Comptroller
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State Comptroller DiNapoli and District Attorney Scarpino Announce Arrest in $60K Pension Payments

Mount Vernon Woman Hid Her Mother’s Death for Two Years to Steal Her Pension

July 12, 2018

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced the arrest of Rochelle Rose for grand larceny in the second degree after she allegedly pocketed her deceased mother's pension totaling $60,285 to pay cellphone bills, a car loan, insurance and utility bills.

Ms. Rose, 40, of Mount Vernon, appeared in Mount Vernon City Court on Thursday. The case is being prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney's office. Rose's scheme was exposed by DiNapoli's office, which revealed that Rose kept her deceased mother's bank account open in order to collect her mother's pension payments.

"Ms. Rose thought she could deceive the retirement system and live off her deceased mother's pension," State Comptroller DiNapoli said. "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 & Local Retirement System. I thank D.A. Scarpino and his team for their outstanding efforts on this case."

Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. said: "Stealing from public funds hurts everyone. 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."

Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by filing a complaint online at [email protected], or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 14th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.

The charges against the defendant are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.