Jordan Green, the former clerk to the supervisor for the town of Minerva, was sentenced today in Essex County Court to 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison and ordered to pay restitution, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today.
Green pleaded guilty last month to fourth degree grand larceny, official misconduct and tampering with public records after an investigation and audit found that she took thousands of dollars in unauthorized payroll payments and used public funds to pay back her loans from the state’s retirement system.
Judge Richard B. Meyer also ordered Green to pay back $19,076.06 in restitution and pay a $1,500 fine.
As the clerk to the supervisor, Green was responsible for processing payroll, calculating employee benefits and collecting payments to the town.
"Ms. Green’s sentence is a reminder that a public employee stealing public dollars will not be tolerated," DiNapoli said. "I thank Essex County District Attorney Kristy Sprague and the New York State Police for their work and partnership in combatting public corruption."
The Comptroller’s investigation and audit revealed that Green stole over $19,000, including funneling almost $9,000 to her own bank account from the town’s payroll account, $1,023 not withheld from her health insurance and $4,277 that was not withheld from her retirement contributions and loan repayments.
DiNapoli’s office also found that Green, who is a member of the state’s retirement system, used town funds to pay back loans she took from the retirement system of more than $1,500. Green also directed more than $1,000 in town funds to pay medical contributions, instead of making deductions from her paycheck.
Green resigned in April 2015 after the Comptroller’s investigation began. DiNapoli’s investigations have led to more than 150 arrests and more than $50 million in restitutions since 2011. Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse.
New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by filing a complaint online at [email protected], or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 14th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.