Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney Beth Drake stated today that Joseph F. Grossmann, age 68, of Lugoff, South Carolina, pled guilty to Bank Larceny, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 2113(b), and was sentenced to probation for three years, including one year of home confinement.  Grossmann was also ordered to pay $130,624 in restitution to the New York State Employees’ Retirement System. Magistrate Judge Paige J. Gossett presided at the hearing. 

Evidence presented during the change of plea established that between 2010 and 2015, Grossmann collected retirement benefits for his sister, a former New York state employee, even though she had died.  In total, he received approximately $130,624 over five years, none of which he was entitled to. 

The case was originally prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York.  The case was transferred to South Carolina to accommodate the defendant’s health and living circumstances.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office handled today’s guilty plea and sentencing.

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