Florida Woman Charged in Connecticut $98K Pension Benefits Theft

A Florida woman is facing serious charges in Connecticut after allegedly collecting nearly $98,000 in pension checks meant for a deceased state retiree.

This case stretches over three years, spanning from Florida back to Hartford. It shows how new anti-fraud measures in Connecticut helped uncover the alleged theft and highlights the state’s renewed focus on protecting public pension funds.

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Florida Woman Accused of Stealing Connecticut Retiree’s Pension

According to court records, Christina Richards faces a first-degree larceny charge. Investigators say she kept drawing pension payments long after a Connecticut retiree died.

The retiree passed away in October 2021. Still, the state pension checks kept coming.

For three years, those funds landed in the deceased woman’s bank account at a Florida address where Richards was living. Officials claim that instead of reporting the death, Richards routinely tapped into the account.

How the Alleged Pension Fraud Worked

Investigators from the Connecticut State Comptroller’s Office noticed pension payments were still hitting the deceased retiree’s account well after her death. That triggered a closer look at the account activity.

Authorities say Richards had access to the bank account because she lived with the retiree at the time of her death. After the woman died, Richards allegedly kept making regular cash withdrawals, turning the ongoing pension deposits into her own income.

Those withdrawals continued until officials halted the payments in November 2024. The total amount allegedly taken over the three-year period is nearly $98,000, which bumps the case up to first-degree larceny under Connecticut law.

Investigation, Arrest, and Extradition Back to Connecticut

After the suspicious deposits were flagged, the investigation moved quickly.

Inspector Alfonso Vazquez from the State Comptroller’s Office secured an arrest warrant for Richards on October 31. Less than two weeks later, on November 13, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office in Florida arrested Richards on the Connecticut warrant.

Return to Connecticut and Court Proceedings

Richards waived extradition, clearing the way for authorities to bring her back north. She was transported to Connecticut and formally processed on November 24.

Two days later, she was arraigned in Hartford Superior Court, where a judge set her bond at $90,000. Richards is currently scheduled to appear in court again on December 24, a date that residents in cities like Bridgeport, Waterbury, and Stamford might find oddly high-profile for a financial crime case.

If convicted, she could face significant prison time and restitution.

New 2024 Anti-Fraud Reforms Credited with Exposing the Case

Connecticut officials say this alleged fraud might have continued longer if not for recent reforms. State Comptroller Sean Scanlon credited new 2024 anti-fraud measures with helping uncover the irregular pension deposits.

Scanlon has said the goal is not just to catch bad actors after the fact, but to prevent them from exploiting the system in the first place. Those reforms are designed to tighten oversight of pension payments and quickly spot situations where funds keep flowing after a beneficiary dies.

Protecting Connecticut’s Pension System

For residents from Norwich and New Britain to Danbury and Norwalk, the integrity of the state’s pension system feels personal—it’s about their financial security in retirement. Pension funds work on the idea that benefits go only to those who are truly entitled.

State officials say cases like this erode trust and siphon money away from legitimate retirees. By tightening controls and using data-driven tools to spot anomalies, Connecticut wants to make sure every dollar is properly accounted for—and that theft, whether by individuals or organized schemes, gets investigated fast.

What This Means for Connecticut Retirees and Taxpayers

The charges against Richards are still just allegations, but honestly, the case should make families and beneficiaries across Connecticut pause. Whether you’re living near New London or out in the Hartford suburbs, it’s a real wake-up call.

When a retiree passes away, state officials say you need to notify the right agencies right away. That way, pension payments stop, and you avoid a mess of legal trouble.

For taxpayers, this whole situation highlights something uncomfortable—fraud costs everyone. Every extra dollar that slips out has to come from somewhere, either draining the pension fund or getting covered by the public.

State leaders keep pushing for better fraud detection. They argue it’s the only way to protect pensions and keep people’s trust intact.

Here is the source article for this story: Florida woman charged with stealing nearly $98,000 in Connecticut pension benefits

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