DiNapoli: Two Poughkeepsie Women Arrested for Stealing NYS Pension Checks From Deceased Pensioner

January 15, 2025

Two Poughkeepsie women allegedly cashed seven pension checks totaling $8,600 meant for one of the defendants' deceased mother, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi and Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati announced today. The two defendants, Deborah Brink, 63, and Sheila Moseley, 58, are charged with grand larceny.

"Deborah Brink and Sheila Moseley allegedly schemed to exploit Brink's mother's death to line their own pockets," DiNapoli said. "My thanks to District Attorney Parisi and Sheriff Imperati for partnering to protect the pension fund from those who try to cheat the system."

Imperati said: "I would like to thank Comptroller DiNapoli and District Attorney Parisi for their collaboration on this case. The exploitation of our pension system is something that we take very seriously, and I'm grateful that this interagency partnership was successful in bringing these individuals to justice."

Brink's mother worked for the Hudson River Psychiatric Center and Dutchess Community College for over 22 years before retiring in June 1995. She died in May 2020 and all pension payments should have stopped at the time of her death. The state retirement system was not informed of her death. Upon discovering she had died, the payments were stopped.

DiNapoli's investigation found that seven pension checks issued to Brink's mother, totaling $8,607.58, were cashed with forged signatures after she died.

An analysis of the bank records revealed that Brink cashed four of those checks, totaling $4,898.56, and that Brink's friend, Moseley, cashed three, totaling $3,709.02. Brink and Moseley had access to the addresses where the checks were delivered. After the deposits were made, the retirement system was able to recoup $2,460.98.

Brink was arrested on charges of grand larceny in the third degree and was arraigned by Judge Scott Volkman in Poughkeepsie City Court. She is due back in court on Jan. 31. Moseley was arrested on charges of grand larceny in the fourth degree and is due back in court for arraignment on Jan. 28.

The charges filed in this case are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by emailing a complaint to [email protected]or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.