A Rochester resident, Karen Walsh, has admitted to stealing nearly $13,000 in pension payments that continued to be sent after her mother’s death. New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the plea and restitution.
Walsh, 68, pleaded guilty to petit larceny for failing to report her mother’s death in 2020 and continuing to access pension funds intended for her late mother. According to officials, she was ordered to pay full restitution upfront as part of the plea.
“Ms. Walsh tried to profit off of her mother’s death and defraud the state pension system,” DiNapoli said. “Now, through my partnership with law enforcement, she has been held accountable for her actions and must repay the money she stole. My thanks to D.A. Green and the New York State Police for their work with my office to ensure justice is served.”
Green added: “The defendant’s actions represent a misuse of the New York State pension system and, by extension, an offense against the citizens who fund it. Allowing such conduct would undermine the integrity of a system relied upon by countless public servants who dedicated their careers to their communities. I appreciate the thorough work of the State Comptroller’s Office and the New York State Police in this investigation that assisted in today’s resolution. The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office is committed to seeking justice and accountability for all who commit economic crimes against the residents of New York State.”
James stated: “Ms. Walsh used her mother’s death to her advantage and continued to inexcusably collect the pension meant to support her mother for the remainder of her life. We will continue to aggressively investigate any case involving financial corruption and those who take advantage of the pension system. I commend the Comptroller’s Office and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office for their partnership in this investigation.”
Authorities explained that after Walsh’s mother’s death in 2020, monthly beneficiary payments from her late husband’s state pension should have ceased but continued due to non-reporting by Walsh. A total of $19,524 was paid out following her mother’s passing.
Investigators found that Walsh withdrew over $4,000 directly from one account and transferred at least $8,000 into another account under her mother’s name—an account she also controlled. She forged checks using her deceased mother’s name before depositing them into her own account and used these funds for personal expenses including credit card payments, home improvements, and groceries.
The case was heard before Judge Van H. White in Rochester City Court.
Comptroller DiNapoli highlighted his office’s ongoing efforts against public corruption since 2007 and encouraged individuals with information about fraud involving taxpayer money to report it via phone or online through https://www.osc.ny.gov/investigations or by mail at his Albany office.
