FLA Woman Accused Of Stealing Deceased CT Retiree’s Benefits

A Florida woman is accused of stealing nearly $98,000 in pension benefits issued by Connecticut after the death of a retired state worker.

Christina Richards, 41, of Fort Pierce was charged on a warrant with first-degree larceny, according to the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.

The Office of the State Comptroller alerted state prosecutors last April that monthly pension payments had been sent for years to a Connecticut retiree despite her death in October 2021.

About $97,671 had been deposited into the deceased retiree’s bank account before the comptroller’s office confirmed her death and stopped the benefits, according to the state.

Investigators determined Richards had been living with the retiree when she died. Richards continued to have access to the retiree’s bank account, and made cash withdrawals after her death, according to the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.

Richards was arraigned in Superior Court in Hartford on Nov. 26, and she is due back in court on Dec. 24. As of Wednesday, she remained in custody and hadn’t posted a $90,000 court-set bond.

State Comptroller Sean Scanlon said 2024 reforms aimed at rooting out fraud in the pension system led to this arrest.

"The disability pension system is a vital lifeline for those who truly need it, and any abuse of the system is unacceptable," Scanlon said.