A Syracuse resident, Michael Glinski, was sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to pay nearly $22,000 in restitution after being found guilty of stealing pension payments intended for his deceased mother. The sentencing was announced by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Onondaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.
Glinski, 45, was arrested in January 2025 following an investigation led by the Comptroller’s office. Authorities discovered that he continued to collect his mother’s pension checks after her death in October 2021. She had retired from the Village of Solvay Police Department in August 2014 and had also been receiving her late husband’s pension as a beneficiary since 2019. Both payments should have ceased upon her passing but were not stopped until July 2022 when the New York State and Local Retirement System learned of her death.
Investigators found that Glinski deposited 17 pension checks totaling $21,946.36 into his personal account by endorsing them with a power of attorney that had expired at the time of his mother’s death.
“Michael Glinski concealed his mother’s death to defraud our pension system. We will continue our work to track down and bring to justice those who try to defraud the pension system which our retired public employees and their beneficiaries rely upon,” DiNapoli said. “My thanks to DA Fitzpatrick and Superintendent James for their partnership in holding the defendant accountable.”
Fitzpatrick stated: “The state pension system provides vital benefits to our hardworking state and municipal employees and their families. Mr. Glinski has violated the integrity of this system, and he must now suffer the consequences with a conviction and the requirement that he reimburse the pension system for his theft in full.”
James added: “Theft from the state pension system is not a victimless crime — it erodes trust in programs designed to support those who served our communities with integrity. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Comptroller’s Office, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, and the State Police, Mr. Glinski has been held accountable for his actions. Our partnership remains strong and committed to uncovering fraud and protecting the benefits earned by hardworking New Yorkers and their families.”
Glinski pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the third degree in May before Judge Mary Anne Doherty at Onondaga County Court.
Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has encouraged public involvement in reporting fraud or abuse related to taxpayer money through several channels including a toll-free hotline (1-888-672-4555), email ([email protected]), or mail addressed to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.
