Sentence Handed Down To Norwalk Woman Who Stole Benefits: Feds

NORWALK, CT — A 57-year-old Norwalk woman, who pleaded guilty to stealing the federal annuity benefits of her deceased mother, was sentenced to three years of probation and must pay back nearly $73,000 in restitution and fines, announced United States Attorney John H. Durham.

Sybil F. Butler was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport, who also ordered Butler to perform 150 hours of community service. She had pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds in March of this year.

According to court documents and prosecutors, Butler's mother received monthly annuity payments following her retirement from the U.S. Postal Service, but the mother died in June 2014. Between June of that year and October 2016, Butler "impersonated her mother in phone calls to the Office of Personnel Management, and also forged her mother's signature on numerous documents indicating that her mother was alive."

As a result, $71,701.13 in federal annuity benefits were deposited into Butler's and her mother's joint bank account after her mother's death. In addition to the full restitution that Butler must pay, her penalty also includes a $1,000 fine.

Butler was arrested on a criminal complaint in October 2018.

This matter was investigated by the Office of Personnel Management, Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.