LI Daughter Pleads Guilty To Stealing $200K From Dead Mom's Pension

ALBANY, NY — New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the guilty plea of Hempstead resident Cynthia Rozzell for stealing over $240,000 in pension benefits issued to her deceased mother, Mary Garrett, by the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS) between May 2014 and May 2020.

Rozzell pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny with her sentencing expected on October 4.

"Pension theft is not a victimless crime. By stealing her deceased mother’s pension benefits, Ms. Rozzell dishonored countless hardworking New Yorkers who have dedicated their lives to one of our most noble professions: teaching and enriching our youth," James said. "My office will continue to prosecute those who attempt to undermine our retirement systems and steal from the individuals whose lives and livelihoods depend on these hard-earned benefits."

Cynthia Rozzell’s mother, Mary Garrett, was a NYSTRS pensioner who retired from the Malverne Union Free School District in 1996. Upon her retirement, Garrett opted for the maximum payout rather than designate a beneficiary to receive her benefits after her death. However, when Garrett died in 2014, her monthly pension benefits continued to be deposited in her bank account and Rozzell subsequently diverted the payments to her own account, the Attorney General said in a release.