State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced the arrests of Annette Bigelow, 59, and Mary Nash, 58, for allegedly concealing their mother’s death to collect $21,694 in her retirement funds from 2013 to 2015. The two Westchester County residents are charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony.
"For two years after their mother's death, Annette Bigelow and her sister, Mary Nash, stole nearly $22,000 in pension payments from the New York State and Local Employees Retirement System by apparently signing their deceased mother’s signature,” DiNapoli said. “We uncovered their unlawful behavior and worked with Westchester County District Attorney Scarpino to hold them accountable for their actions leading to their arrests.”
“Defrauding the retirement system is stealing from each of us. Comptroller DiNapoli and his office continue to focus their efforts on protecting us from this kind of theft,” Scarpino said. “Once again, we are proud to work together to show anyone who would consider committing this sort of crime that you will get caught and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
Westchester County District Attorney’s Criminal Investigators arrested Bigelow and Nash Wednesday morning. They were arraigned in Greenburgh Town Court and released on their own recognizance. They are due back in court on Dec. 20.
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.
About the Office of the Westchester County District Attorney:
Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. leads the largest district attorney’s office north of New York City. The office employs more than 200 assistant district attorneys, criminal investigators and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office works with over 40 local police departments, the Westchester Department of Public Safety, New York State Police, as well as other state and federal law enforcement agencies. Contact us at [email protected].