U.S. Office of Personnel Management www.opm.gov - Recruiting, Retaining and Honoring a World-Class Workforce to Serve the American People

Mr. Hurst's plea and sentencing were the results of an OIG investigation that disclosed that he had misappropriated CSRS retirement funds intended for his mother after her death in 1995. When questioned by OIG investigators, the son admitted to the theft, which he accomplished by forging his mother's signature on checks and cashing them in a local bar and package store.

Daughter Guilty of CSRS Annuity Theft

Mary Ann Gerson of Laurel, Maryland, entered into a settlement agreement with OPM, approved by the Department of Justice, on July 27, 2001, whereby Ms. Gerson agreed to reimburse the CSRS trust fund the sum of $146,994. These funds represented part of $253,265 in payments intended for her father, a deceased CSRS annuitant. 

The settlement agreement and recovery of funds were the results of an investigation initiated by our office that disclosed that Ms. Gerson had successfully accessed the annuity payments intended for her father over an 11-year period following his death in 1987. During the investigation, Ms. Gerson admitted to investigators that she had converted the funds to her own use. 

OIG Hotlines and Complaint Activity

The information we receive on our OIG hotlines is generally concerned with FEHBP health care fraud, retirement fraud and other complaints that may warrant special investigations. Our office receives inquiries from the general public, OPM employees, contractors and others interested in reporting waste, fraud and abuse within the agency. 

In addition to hotline callers, we receive information from individuals who choose to write letters or who appear in our office. Those who report information can do so openly, anonymously or confidentially without fear of reprisal.