John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SYBIL F. BUTLER, 57, of Norwalk, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to three years of probation for stealing federal annuity benefits. Judge Underhill also ordered Butler to pay full restitution and a $1,000 fine, and to perform 150 hours of community service.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Butler’s mother received monthly annuity payments following her retirement from the U.S. Postal Service. Butler’s mother died in June 2014. Between June 2014 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.
Butler was arrested on a criminal complaint on October 3, 2018. On March 5, 2019, she pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds.
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.