A Huntington Town resident who used to work for the town has pleaded guilty to grand larceny after being arrested for stealing from his late mother’s pension fund. His arrest was the result of a joint investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney and the Office of the New York State Comptroller.
After Moses Johnson’s mother died on April 16, 2021, he failed to notify the bank or the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLERS) of her death and instead, he continued to collect and spend her pension payments.
Between April 30, 2021, and June 30, 2022, Johnson collected a total of 15 unauthorized payments totaling $56,411. The stolen funds were traced from Johnson’s mother’s bank account into his bank account, from which he then spent the money.
Johnson previously worked for the Town of Huntington for over 30 years and worked in the recycling center until his retirement in 2017. As a member of the state retirement system, Johnson was aware of the pension process and knew his mother’s payments should have been terminated with her death.
On October 11, 2023, Johnson was arrested by investigators of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
On September 3, 2024, Johnson pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewsk, who ordered Johnson to pay restitution in the amount of $56,411. He is due back in court on December 10, 2024.
“The defendant’s actions were not only illegal but morally reprehensible, stealing from his own deceased mother’s pension funds,” said Suffolk DA Ray Tierney. “This case highlights the importance of our ongoing collaboration with the State Comptroller’s Office in rooting out fraud and abuse. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect the integrity of our pension systems and bring those who attempt to defraud them to justice.”
“Mr. Johnson callously exploited his mother’s death to line his own pockets,” said State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. “I thank Suffolk County District Attorney Tierney for his partnership in bringing him to justice. My office will continue to partner with law enforcement agencies across the state and country to protect the New York State pension system from fraud.”