View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2019/09/17/540204.htm
A Rochester, N.Y., woman has been arraigned on charges that she defrauded the workers’ compensation system of more than $5,000 by endorsing and cashing wage reimbursement checks intended for her deceased grandmother.
“This is an egregious case where an individual exploited the death of her grandmother for illicit gain,” New York State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro stated in a press release issued by her office. “Workers’ compensation exists to provide a safety net for those truly injured in their line of work and in need of support. Unfortunately, unscrupulous individuals attempt to cheat the system. We continue to work to curtail workers’ comp fraud and hold those who steal accountable.”
Brandy Sheppard, 37, was indicted August 23 by a Monroe County grand jury on charges of grand larceny in the third degree, identity theft in the first degree and 23 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, all felonies. Sheppard was arraigned on the indictment charges and pled not guilty.
An investigation by Inspector General Tagliafierro found that Sheppard’s grandmother passed away on November 17, 2015. However, Sheppard received, endorsed and then cashed 23 workers’ compensation benefit checks intended for her grandmother between December 2015 and October 2016. In total, Sheppard defrauded the workers’ compensation system by stealing $5,364.48 in benefits to which she was not entitled.
Sheppard is scheduled to appear in Monroe County Court on September 25, 2019. She is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: New York State Offices of the Inspector General