Essex County woman admits to forging sick notes at correctional facility job

An Essex County woman has admitted to submitting over two dozen forged doctors’ notes to obtain sick leave benefits from her job at a correctional facility.

Kathleen Baeder, a civilian employee at Adirondack Correctional Facility in Saranac Lake, submitted 28 forged doctors’ notes to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision between about Oct. 21, 2021 and Feb. 2, 2022. This resulted in her fraudulently extending her sick leave over a four-month period and receiving nearly $4,600 in benefits to which she was not entitled, according to New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang.

Baeder pleaded guilty in Essex County Court on Monday to criminal possession of a forged instrument. She was sentenced to 5 years of probation,

Anyone who suspects benefit fraud is taking place can filed a complaint on the website IG.NY.GOV or by calling 1-800-DO-RIGHT.