Woman admits to taking deceased mother-in-law’s retirement benefits

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV/Gray News) - A Missouri woman admitted to taking more than $75,000 in retirement benefits she was not entitled to after the death of her mother-in-law in December 2018.

Ronda G. Oswalt, 58, pleaded guilty to one felony count of theft of government money.

The deceased mother-in-law’s federal retirement benefits continued to be automatically deposited into a credit union account after her death.

Oswalt admitted to failing to notify the U.S. Office of Personnel Management about the woman’s death.

Oswalt said she used the money to cover personal expenses between December 2018 and November 2021.

Her sentencing is scheduled for July 25. The charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both prison time and a fine.