(WNY News Now) – New York City – A 69-year-old Manhattan man faces grand larceny charges after allegedly pocketing more than $50,000 in pension benefits meant for his deceased sister-in-law, according to New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
Randy Ray, a 69-year-old resident of Manhattan, has been charged with grand larceny after allegedly diverting over $50,000 in pension benefits that were meant for his sister-in-law, who passed away in January 2019. The pension payments, amounting to $1,341.78 monthly, continued for over three years before being discovered by the New York State Retirement System in July 2022.
“Randy Ray allegedly took advantage of his sister-in-law’s death to fund his lifestyle,” DiNapoli said. “I will continue to safeguard the pension system and partner with law enforcement across the state and country to prosecute those who attempt to defraud it. I thank Albany County District Attorney David Soares and the New York State Police for their partnership in bringing Ray to justice.”
The pensioner, Ray’s sister-in-law, retired on disability retirement in October 1986 from the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, where she served as a confidential legal stenographer. She retired choosing the state retirement system’s single life allowance option, meaning at the time of her death in January 2019 her monthly pension payments of $1,341.78 should have ended. Instead, the retirement system was not informed of and did not learn about her death until July 2022. Once the system discovered her death, payments were stopped, and an investigation launched.
A forensic analysis was completed on the bank account where the pension payments were being deposited, which was a joint account in the name of the pensioner and Ray. The investigation found that Ray diverted over $50,000 in pension payments made after his sister-in-law’s death and used the money to pay credit card bills, travel, and make online purchases.
Ray was arraigned on a charge of grand larceny in Albany County Court. He is due back in court on October 30.
The charges filed in this case are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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