Elona Roberts, a Rochester resident, faces serious charges after allegedly siphoning over $121,000 from her late grandmother’s state pension checks.
Elona Roberts of Rochester has been arrested on charges of grand larceny and filing false instruments, accused of stealing more than $121,000 from her deceased grandmother’s state pension. The arrest, announced by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley, and Monroe County Sheriff Todd K. Baxter, underscores the seriousness of pension fraud.
“Today’s arrest should serve as a warning that attempts to defraud our pension fund will be found and prosecuted,” DiNapoli stated. He thanked the District Attorney’s office and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for their cooperation in protecting state pension funds.
District Attorney Doorley emphasized the broader impact of the crime, noting, “Stealing from the New York State pension fund is not a victimless crime, as every single resident and taxpayer in the state suffers from this theft.” She praised the Comptroller’s office for their thorough investigation.
Sheriff Baxter highlighted the trust placed in the state pension system, saying, “The New York State Pension fund serves as a promise kept to all the civil servants who commit their lives to safeguarding and uplifting their community.” He expressed gratitude to the investigators for their diligent work.
The investigation began after the Comptroller’s office discovered that Roberts’ grandmother, who retired as a maintenance supervisor in 1998 and passed away in 2017, continued to receive pension checks. Roberts allegedly deposited 66 checks, forging her grandmother’s signature and her own, and spent the funds on personal expenses.
Roberts was arraigned in Irondequoit Town Court before Judge Jennifer Whitman-Devoe and is scheduled to return to court on June 18. The charges include Grand Larceny in the second degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the first degree. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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