A Florida woman has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $300,000 in pension benefits meant for a deceased West Virginia public employee.
Federal prosecutors say 71-year-old Semiha Nilgun Gencsoy of Fort Lauderdale admitted to collecting the money over several years after failing to report her father’s death in 2007. He had earned a pension as a professor at West Virginia University.
After his death, benefits continued to be deposited into a joint account shared by his wife and daughter. Prosecutors say Gencsoy never closed the account or informed the retirement board — instead, she transferred the funds into her own account.
In all, she received more than 180 pension payments totaling $328,000.
Gencsoy now faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. She’s also been ordered to pay back the full amount. Sentencing is set for August 28th.