Tannersville Couple Arrested for Allegedly Stealing Pension Benefits

TANNERSVILLE — New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Greene County District Attorney Joseph Stanzione, and the New York State Police Superintendent Stephen G. James announced the arrest of a Tannersville couple, Kelly Tuomey, 56, and her husband, Stephen B. Tuomey, 60, today for allegedly stealing over $35,000 in pension payments.

“The defendants allegedly exploited a family member’s death to try to cheat the pension system and enrich themselves,” DiNapoli said. “I will continue to safeguard the state pension system and work with law enforcement to hold those who would defraud it accountable. I thank DA Stanzione and the New York State Police for their continued partnership in protecting the pension system.”

“We are committed to protecting the assets of the pension fund and prosecuting people who receive pension funds they are not entitled to,” said District Attorney Stanzione. “The arrest of Stephen and Kelly Tuomey sends a strong message of this commitment to hold people accountable.”

State Police Superintendent James said, “This couple allegedly defrauded and preyed on the New York State pension system, all to fill their pockets and satisfy their greed. These arrests should remind those thinking of carrying out these types of schemes, that you will be held accountable. Thank you to the Comptroller’s Office, Green County District Attorney’s Office, and our State Police members for their hard work in exposing these actions.”

Stephen B. Tuomey’s father retired from the New York State Office of General Services as a food service worker in May of 1997 and subsequently received monthly state pension payments via direct deposit into a joint checking account which he shared with the defendants. Stephen’s father was also the beneficiary of his wife’s state pension and upon her death received her monthly pension payment via check. 

Stephen’s father died on March 4, 2020 and both pension payments should have ended. However, the Tuomeys did not report the death of Stephen’s father to the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS). Instead, a total of $30,189.80 in electronic payments were made into the joint account and a total of $5,050.16 in paper pension checks were cashed after his father’s death. When NYSLRS learned of the death in 2022, all payments were stopped and an investigation was initiated.

The investigation revealed that Kelly allegedly forged her father-in-law’s name on the paper checks and deposited them into a joint checking account shared by her, Stephen, and the deceased. She then transferred over $20,000 into her personal bank account and into another bank account which she shared with her husband. Kelly and Stephen used the money to pay off various credit card bills and other personal expenses.

The Tuomeys appeared in the Town of Catskill Court before Judge Richard Jacobs. Kelly Tuomey was charged with two counts of grand larceny in the third degree and eight counts of forgery. Stephen Tuomey was charged with one count of grand larceny in the third degree. Both defendants are due back in court on May 1.