CHICAGO (AP) — Prosecutors say two former Chicago Transit Authority workers are accused of faking their children’s deaths and stealing coworkers’ identities to obtain retirement funds.
The attorney general’s office announced Wednesday wire fraud, identity theft and continuing financial crimes enterprise charges were filed against Donella Anderson Watkins. Sammie Watkins is charged with wire fraud and attempted identity theft charges.
Authorities allege the couple submitted fake death certificates for children to create an “emergency need” for funeral expenses. That allowed them to withdraw funds from their retirement accounts without incurring a tax penalty.
The scheme came to light after Sammie Watkins attempted to withdraw funds from the CTA’s deferred compensation plan in another employee’s name
Both are being held in lieu of $60,000 bond. It wasn’t immediately known if they have attorneys.
