New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and the New York State Police announced the sentencing of Bonnie S. Robertson, 63, of Pleasant Valley for stealing nearly $42,000 of her deceased mother’s pension payments.

Robertson pleaded guilty to petit larceny in July and agreed to pay full restitution. She was sentenced to three years of probation.

"This was an egregious act. Ms. Robertson kept her mother's death a secret to steal her pension. She was caught and now she must repay the $42,000 she stole from the state retirement system," DiNapoli said. "Thanks to Dutchess County District Attorney William Grady and the New York State Police for their work on this case."

Robertson failed to notify the New York State and Local Retirement System of her mother’s death and continued to fraudulently collect her mother’s pension payments, beginning in 2013. She pleaded guilty to petit larceny in July in Stanford Town Court.

Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. 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 [email protected] or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236. Review prior cases at https://www.osc.state.ny.us/investigations.