Cattaraugus County Woman Sentenced for Stealing $3,000 in Workers’ Comp Benefits Payable to Her Deceased Father

New York State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro today announced the sentencing of a Randolph woman who stole $3,065.28 in Workers’ Compensation benefits by forging her late father’s name in order to cash the checks. 

Bonnie S. Slater, 60, of Randolph, was sentenced today in Cattaraugus County Court before Hon. Ronald Ploetz to one year in jail after pleading guilty in September to Forgery in the 3rd Degree and Petit Larceny, both misdemeanors. She was ordered to pay $3,933.78 in restitution and costs.

The Inspector General’s investigation found that Slater’s father, Alan Slater, passed away on August 29, 2017. Slater later obtained and endorsed six workers’ compensation benefit checks intended for her father from September through November 2017.  Slater cashed the checks at a local supermarket after Alan Slater’s death. All checks were issued in the amount of $510.88.  In total, Slater defrauded the workers’ compensation system by stealing $3,065.28 in benefits to which she was not entitled.

“By forging her deceased father’s signature on these checks, this individual illegally obtained workers’ compensation benefits,” Inspector General Tagliafierro said. “I thank our law enforcement partners in Cattaraugus County for their work on this matter.”

Inspector General Tagliafierro thanked the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department for their partnership in the investigation and Cattaraugus County District Attorney Lori P. Rieman and her office for prosecuting the matter. 

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