N.Y. Woman Sentenced for Stealing More Than $3K in Workers’ Comp Benefits

A New York woman who stole $3,065.28 in workers’ compensation benefits by forging her late father’s name in order to cash the checks has been sentenced to one year in jail.

Bonnie S. Slater of Randolph, N.Y., was sentenced in Cattaraugus County Court before Hon. Ronald Ploetz after pleading guilty in September to forgery in the third degree and petit larceny, both misdemeanors. She was ordered to pay $3,933.78 in restitution and costs.

An investigation by New York State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro found that Slater’s father, Alan Slater, passed away on August 29, 2017. Slater later obtained and endorsed six workers’ compensation benefit checks intended for her father from September through November 2017.

Slater cashed the checks at a local supermarket after Alan Slater’s death. All checks were issued in the amount of $510.88. In total, Slater defrauded the workers’ compensation system by stealing $3,065.28 in benefits to which she was not entitled.

“By forging her deceased father’s signature on these checks, this individual illegally obtained workers’ compensation benefits,” Tagliafierro said in a press release issued by her office.

Source: New York State Offices of the Inspector General