(WNY News Now) In order to steal $29,893 in pension funds and spend more than $8,700 at casinos, Linda Burrows is accused of forging her deceased stepfather’s signature.
Linda Burrows of Fillmore, New York, was arrested by New York State Police, Allegany County District Attorney Ian Jones, and New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli for allegedly stealing $29,893 in state pension checks that were delivered to her late stepfather.
According to DiNapoli, Linda Burrows reportedly faked her stepfather’s name and covered his death in order to embezzle pension fund payments. I want to thank District Attorney Jones and the State Police for their cooperation in holding Burrows accountable, and I will continue to work with law enforcement to safeguard the integrity of our pension system.
“This arrest is another example of how committed police work and strong law enforcement partnerships are succeeding in tackling pension fraud,” stated Steven G. James, superintendent of the New York State Police. To bring justice and closure to this case, a thorough investigation of Ms. Burrows’ alleged acts will be conducted. I applaud our State Police officers, the Comptroller’s Office, and the Allegany County District Attorney’s Office for their hard work in making this arrest.
The New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) provided Burrows’ mother with a monthly pension after she retired as a custodian for the Yorkshire Pioneer Central School District. The appointed beneficiary of Burrow’s mother’s pension upon her death in 2019 was her husband, who was also Burrow’s stepfather.
The pension benefits ought to have ceased when he passed away the following year. Over the course of the following 23 months, Burrows, who resided at their house, is accused of forging her late stepfather’s signature and depositing the checks into a joint account. During that period, she spent $8,752 of the funds at other casinos.
NYSLRS stopped making payments after learning of her stepfather’s passing.
Burrows was accused of third-degree grand larceny, second-degree forgery, and second-degree possession of a forged instrument. Her arraignment in Hume Town Court is set on December 12.
The defendants are deemed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law, and the allegations in this case are only accusations.
