“Huntington Man Admits to Stealing $56K from Deceased Mother’s Pension”

According to WNY News Now, Moses K. Johnson, 63, of Huntington, New York, has admitted to illegally pocketing over $56,000 from his late mother’s public pension, prompting outrage from state officials. The announcement was made by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney following Johnson’s guilty plea to Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree.

Exploiting His Mother’s Death

Johnson’s mother passed away in April 2021, and instead of notifying the appropriate authorities or the New York State and Local Retirement System, Johnson chose to continue collecting her pension payments. Between April 30, 2021, and June 30, 2022, he received and spent 15 unauthorized payments totaling $56,411.

Condemnation from Officials

State Comptroller DiNapoli expressed his disapproval of Johnson’s actions, saying, “Mr. Johnson callously exploited his mother’s death to line his own pockets.” He also emphasized his office’s commitment to combating fraud and thanked District Attorney Tierney for his assistance in the investigation.

District Attorney Tierney echoed DiNapoli’s sentiments, calling Johnson’s actions “morally reprehensible” and stating that the case demonstrates the value of the ongoing partnership between law enforcement agencies and the State Comptroller’s Office in identifying and stopping fraudulent behavior.

Investigation Details

The investigation into Johnson’s actions was conducted jointly by the Suffolk County District Attorney and the New York State Comptroller’s Office. Johnson, who had worked for the Town of Huntington for over 30 years, retired in 2017 and was well-versed in the pension process. Despite this knowledge, he chose not to report his mother’s death, allowing the pension payments to continue flowing into her account, which he then transferred to his own.

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The stolen funds were traced back to Johnson’s account, where he proceeded to spend the money.

Guilty Plea and Restitution

On September 3, 2024, Johnson pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven Pilewski to Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony. Justice Pilewski ordered Johnson to pay $56,411 in restitution. Johnson is scheduled to return to court on December 10, 2024.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the state’s efforts to protect its pension system from fraud and hold those who attempt to defraud it accountable.