Willsboro ex-town clerk pleads guilty to stealing $90k from town, agricultural society
WILLSBORO, N.Y. (ABC22/FOX44) – The Essex County Fair has survived the Civil War, multiple pandemics, and now – a treasurer who stole sixty thousand dollars from its coffers.
The New York State Comptroller's office announced Wednesday that Bridget Brown pled guilty to stealing nearly $90,000 from the Town of Willsboro and the Essex County Agricultural Society. Brown was formerly the treasurer of the society and town clerk and tax collector in Willsboro.
Brown was first arrested in September 2021 while still town clerk. She sought re-election anyway while on leave, but lost to a write-in campaign in November.
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'Bridget Brown exploited the trust of her community and used her two positions to enrich herself at taxpayer expense,' said State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. 'My thanks to Franklin County District Attorney [Elizabeth] Crawford and Superintendent [Steven] James for their partnership in fighting public corruption and holding Bridget Brown accountable.'
Crawford said that Brown's actions caused great financial damage to the Essex County Fair, which is annually held in August, through her position as treasurer of the society responsible for organizing it. 'As a part of her negotiated plea agreement and her conditions of probation, Ms. Brown will be required to pay full restitution back to the Town and the Fair.'
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Investigators found that Brown bought items for herself, withdrew money from the society's bank account at ATMs, and repaid a personal loan with $5,300 of society funds. She also stole about $29,000 from taxes and licensing fees in the Town of Willsboro by pocketing cash payments rather than depositing them in the town's bank account.
Brown pled guilty to two counts of grand larceny. Her sentencing is scheduled for July 25.
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