DA: Daughter Stole Dead Mom's Pension

MOUNT VERNON, NY — A Mount Vernon woman faces grand larceny charges because prosecutors said she pocketed her dead mother's pension. Rochelle Rose allegedly used the $60,285 to pay cellphone bills, a car loan, insurance and utility bills.

Rose, 40, of Mount Vernon, appeared in City Court on Thursday, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced.

Rose’s alleged 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,” 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.”

“Stealing from public funds hurts everyone," Scarpino, Jr. said. "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.”

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 investigations@osc.state.ny.us, 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.