A Binghamton woman has been sentenced after stealing nearly $32,000 from her family.

According to the State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and the Broome County District Attorney, Joy LaBarr was sentenced to pay full restitution of nearly $32,000 and serve five years probation. LaBarr pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the 3rd degree earlier this year after stealing almost $32,000 in state pension payments that were for her late father-in-law.

The comptroller's office says LaBarr's father-in-law Jack Burnett retired in 2006 from the Binghamton Housing Authority and under the pension option he chose, his wife was to continue receiving payments after his death. Burnett's wife passed away before he did and Burnett passed away in December 2020. At that time, the payments should have stopped, but no one reported his passing, according to the comptroller's office.

The payments stopped in July 2022 when the state retirement system became aware of Burnett's passing. LaBarr called the retirement system, claiming Burnett was still alive, but unable to talk on the phone due to being hard of hearing. She then asked about the stopped July payment in an effort to continue receiving money.

LaBarr admitted to living with Burnett prior to his passing and to having used his debit card after his death, and to making the call to the retirement system. LaBarr used the stolen funds to purchase clothing, make online purchases, and pay her mortgage. A total of 19 monthly electronic payments were made into the bank account after Burnett passed away totaling $31,872.55