A.G Schneiderman and Comptroller Dinapoli Announce Arrest of Brooklyn Man for Allegedly Pocketing Over $22k In deceased Mother’s Pension Benefits.
Jimmie Buie is said to have stolen over $22k in State Pension Benefits issued to deceased mother.
Schneiderman: “Today’s arrest exemplifies our commitment to rooting out and fully prosecuting Pension Fraud.”
New York- Attorney General Schneiderman and Comptroller Dinapoli announced the successful arrest of a Brooklyn resident, Jimmie Buie, who has been indicted for Grand
Larceny in the Third degree, a class D felony. Buie is charged with allegedly stealing over $22,000 in pension benefits issued by the New York State and Local Employees
Retirement System to his deceased mother, Sandra Buie, dating back to May 2011 to December 2012.
“It is simply reprehensible to exploit the death of a loved one by stealing their pension benefits” said Attorney General Schneiderman.
Thelma Harrison, previous New York state pensioner, retired in 1995. Following her retirement Harrison chose to receive her pension as a Pop up Joint Allowance Half, which then provided her with a reduced pension benefit but allowed her to pass on her benefits to Sandra Buei, her daughter. At the time of Thelma Harrison’s death in 1996, her daughter Sandra Buie in due course began to receive her share of monthly pension benefits.
“Jimmie Buie allegedly profited over $22,000 from his mother’s death by stealing her retirement checks” mentioned State Comptroller DiNapoli. “Our fight against pension fraud has led to more than 20 arrests and $2.7 million in ordered recoveries. My message is clear: If you try to get away with pension fraud, we will find you and hold you responsible. I thank Attorney General Schneiderman for his continued partnership in rooting out public corruption.”
Sandra Buie died on May 15, 2011. Following investigation, prosecutors uncovered that Jimmie Buie resided in the same apartment his deceased mother’s pension checks were mailed to, he procured four associates to cash nineteen pension checks following his mother’s death. Jimmie Buei masked Sandra Beui’s death from the Retirement System in order to continue receiving her pension checks. After his arrest, prosecutors estimate Jimmie Buie stole $22,000 before the Retirement System discovered Sandra Buie’s concealed death.
Jimmie Buie was arraigned on the indictment of Grand Larceny today before Honorable Judge Dineen Riviezzo in Kings County Supreme Court, and submitted a plea of not guilty. Bail was set as $5,000 cash and $15,000 bond. If found guilty Jimmie Buei can face a minimum of 3 ½ to 7 years in state prison.
The investigation was handled by the Comptroller Dinapoli’s Division of Investigations working with New York State and Local Retirement System. The case is being overlooked by Assistant Attorney General Herman Wun of the Public Integrity Bureau. The Public Integrity Bureau is led by Bureau Chief Daniel G. Cort and Deputy Bureau Chief Stacy Aronowitz.
The Attorney General’s investigation was conducted by Investigators Dennis Churns and Joel Cordone under the supervision of Deputy Chief Antoine Karam. The investigations Bureau is led by Chief Dominick Zarella.
