Huntington Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing Dead Mother's Pension: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Huntington man admitted to stealing more than $56K of his mother’s public pension payments following her death in April 2021, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney and New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced Tuesday.

Moses K. Johnson, 63, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to fourth-degree grand larceny. Johnson's’ arrest was the result of a joint investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney and the Office of the New York State Comptroller.

"This defendant's actions were not only illegal but morally reprehensible, stealing from his own deceased mother's pension funds," Tierney said in a news release. "This case highlights the importance of our ongoing collaboration with the State Comptroller’s Office in rooting out fraud and abuse. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect the integrity of our pension systems and bring those who attempt to defraud them to justice."

After Johnson's mother died on April 16, 2021, Johnson did not notify the bank or the New York State and Local Retirement System of her death, prosecutors said. He instead continued to collect and spend her pension payments, investigators said.

Between April 30, 2021, and June 30, 2022, Johnson collected a total of 15 unauthorized payments totaling $56,411, authorities said. The stolen funds were traced from Johnson’s mother’s bank account into his bank account, officials said.

Johnson previously worked for the Town of Huntington for over 30 years and worked in the
recycling center until his retirement in 2017, the DA said.

The DA's Office said that Johnson, a member of the state retirement system, was "aware of the pension process and knew his mother’s payments should have been terminated with her death."

"Mr. Johnson callously exploited his mother’s death to line his own pockets," DiNapoli said. "I thank Suffolk County District Attorney Tierney for his partnership in bringing him to justice. My office will continue to partner with law enforcement agencies across the state and country to protect the New York State pension system from fraud."

Johnson was arrested by investigators of the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office on Oct. 11.

Johnson was ordered to pay $56,411 worth of restitution. He is due back in court on Dec. 10.