Rochester Woman Pleads Guilty To Cashing Workers’ Compensation Checks Intended For Her Deceased Grandmother

New York State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro today announced the guilty plea of a Rochester woman 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.

Brandy Sheppard, 37, previously of Rosalind Street in Rochester, pled guilty today in Monroe County Court to Grand Larceny in the third degree (D felony) and agreed to pay full restitution of $5,364.48. She is due to be sentenced on January 8, 2020.

An investigation by Inspector General Tagliafierro found that Sheppard’s grandmother passed away 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.

“This individual exploited the death of her grandmother for illicit gain,” New York State Inspector General Tagliafierro said. “As long as unscrupulous individuals steal from the workers’ compensation system, we will continue to hold them accountable.”

Inspector General Tagliafierro thanked Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley and her office for prosecuting this matter.