A 37-year-old Queens woman was arrested today for allegedly stealing nearly $85,000 in New York state pension payments meant for her deceased father, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced.
“Deanna Hansen allegedly exploited the death of her father and tried to cheat the New York State and Local Retirement System for her own gain,” DiNapoli said. “Thanks to the work of my office, Albany County District Attorney David Soares and Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, she will answer for her crime.”
Deanna Hansen’s father, Richard Hansen, retired from the state Department of Transportation in March 2003. He was receiving a direct deposit of his pension into a bank account that was in his and his deceased wife’s name. He died in April 2020; at which time his pension should have ceased.
In July 2022, the state retirement system learned Richard Hansen was deceased and stopped payments. At that time, Deanna Hansen contacted the retirement system about beneficiary information.
A review of Richard Hansen’s account showed that Deanna Hansen, who was not listed as a signatory or account holder, transferred $67,423 through an online payment platform from the account to herself. Another $14,914 from the account was paid to the management company of her father’s condominium, where she resided. She allegedly spent other funds from the account on personal expenses.
Deanna Hansen admitted to DiNapoli’s investigators that she used her father’s banking information to access the account and transfer funds to her own account and to pay the condo management fees.
Deanna Hansen was charged with grand larceny and identity theft. She appeared before Judge Roger D. McDonough in Albany County Court. Her next court date was scheduled for May 24.
The charges against the defendant are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in 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 https://www.osc.ny.gov/investigations, or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.