Press Release

Former Anchorage Schoolteacher Sentenced For Defrauding the Permanent Fund Dividend

June 4, 2013

On May 30, 2013, 64 year-old former Anchorage teacher Amy Torian pled guilty to attempted unsworn falsification in the first degree, a class "A" misdemeanor, as part of a plea agreement. Torian had filed Permanent Fund Dividend applications from 2008 through 2010, while living and working in Georgia. Ms. Torian received $4,574.00 in PFD disbursements that she was not eligible to receive.

District Court Judge Jo-Ann Chung sentenced Ms. Torian to spend three years on probation, 30 hours of community work service, and to pay restitution for the PFDs she received fraudulently. Additionally, Ms. Torian was ordered to pay back $22,860.00 to the Teachers' Retirement System. During the investigation, investigators discovered that Ms. Torian had received a cost of living adjustment (COLA) she was not entitled to receive while living in Georgia. To be eligible to receive the cost of living adjustment, Ms. Torian would have been required to live in Alaska.

Torian's conviction stems from an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) of the State Of Alaska, Department of Revenue. This agency is responsible for maintaining the integrity of various Department of Revenue programs, including taxes, gaming, and the PFD, through investigation and enforcement of the various requirements of the programs.

CONTACT: Assistant Attorney General Lisa Kelley @ (907) 269-6297 at the Office of Special Prosecutions.

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at patty.sullivan@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at sam.curtis@alaska.gov or (907) 269-6269.