Arizona Man Arrested For Alleged Theft Of NYS Pension Benefits

An Arizona man has been arrested for allegedly stealing over $100,000 from the New York State retirement system.

According to New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, John Eydeler the third has been collecting pension checks from his mother who passed away in 1998.

“After his mother passed away, Mr. Eydeler hid her death and stole more than $100,000 in pension payments,” said Comptroller DiNapoli. “Through our Operation Integrity partnership with Attorney General Schneiderman, our investigation expanded to three states and led to Mr. Eydeler's arrest in Arizona.”

Investigators say Eydeler, a resident of Glendale, Arizona, hid his mother's death from authorities for more than a decade while acting as her power of attorney in order to claim the money for himself.

“When individuals illegally pocket pension funds that were intended for retirees, it harms all New Yorkers who count on their pension for a secure retirement,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Comptroller DiNapoli and I will continue our partnership to protect the state pension system from theft and abuse.”

Eydeler faces up to 15 years in prison when he returns to court on August 30.