New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten and the New York State Police announced the arraignment of Sharon Collins, 73, of Ithaca, New York yesterday for allegedly stealing $69,481 in state pension payments meant for her deceased husband.

“Sharon Collins allegedly took advantage of her husband’s death to try to cheat the pension system,” DiNapoli said. “She will be held accountable, and my office will continue to partner with law enforcement to protect the pension fund. My thanks to District Attorney Van Houten and the New York State Police for their work on this case.”

“I commend the efforts of the New York State Police in collaboration with the New York State Comptroller’s Office in diligently pursuing this investigation. This kind of fraudulent conduct has no place in our community," Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said.

“This case has brought to light, an individual that has allegedly defrauded the pension system for her own benefit,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said. “Financial crimes, or any crime, will not be tolerated in New York State. I thank our State Police members, the Comptroller’s Office, and the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office for their diligent work on this arrest.”

Collins’ husband retired in 2014 after working as a facilities manager for New York State Colleges at Cornell. He received monthly pension payments and chose a single life allowance option, which meant payments would stop at the time of his death. He died in 2020, but his wife failed to notify the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS).

From August 2020 to June 2022, 23 pension payments totaling $69,481.63 were made into the couple’s joint bank account. When NYSLRS became aware of the death, it stopped all pension payments and sought to reclaim the funds immediately. When Collins became aware of the effort to reclaim the funds, she withdrew the balance of $26,408.61 from the account.

Collins was arraigned on charges of grand larceny in the fourth degree in Lansing Town Court.

The charges filed in this case are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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 emailing a complaint to [email protected] or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.