A news release was sent out on February 27, 2018, regarding a New York man named Michael Barton who was just sentenced for stealing money from a deceased woman.
Michael Barton of Ada Place, Buffalo who is 58 years old was caring for a woman and would cash her Workers Compensation checks for her. After the woman passed away in 2012 Barton continued to cash the woman’s Workers’ Compensation checks until September of 2014 as if she were still alive.
Barton was eventually caught after stealing more the $3,500 in Workers’ Compensation benefits.
Barton pled guilty to Petit Larceny and was given 3 years probation and is to pay restitution in the amount of $3,529.11.
Inspector General Leahy Scott was quoted saying, “This morbid fraud and abuse of a deceased individual’s accounts enriched the defendant with financial benefits to which he was not entitled, I will continue to use my office to protect benefits meant to assist honest, hard-working New Yorkers.”
Quick Thoughts on Michael Barton’s Theft
I am a bit surprised it took 2 years to figure out the woman’s money was being cashed after her death and I am even more surprised that Barton thought he could get away with stealing the money. Did he not think the insurance company would ever check to see if she was still alive?
When someone passes away that is receiving benefits, the benefits are supposed to stop.
Michael Barton’s theft of that woman’s money after she passed away is exactly why Alive and Well checks are conducted by insurance companies.
Generally speaking as individuals become older in age insurance companies hire investigators like me to check on those individuals. I have met with individuals annually for years to check as to whether they are alive and they are receiving their benefits on time.
I have met with people for several years then the following year I find out they have passed away.
I will get into Alive and Well checks a bit more in another article, but the main reason they are done is to simply make sure the person receiving the benefits is still alive.
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