Former Delhi Village Clerk Michele Barnes pleaded guilty on Thursday after pocketing $4,788 in public funds for her personal use. Her thefts were brought to light during an audit and investigation by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s office.

Barnes, 44, admitted before Judge Richard Gumo in Delhi Town Court that she issued four checks to herself from December 2017 to October 2018. She pleaded guilty to petit larceny, a misdemeanor, and agreed to pay full restitution plus $500 to cover the village of Delhi’s insurance deductible in lieu of three years’ probation plus one year conditional discharge.

“Ms. Barnes used public funds to cover her personal costs,” DiNapoli said, “I thank Troop C of the New York State Police and Delaware County Special Prosecutor Linden Summers for helping us to bring this former clerk to justice.”

Barnes was initially arrested on Sept. 30 and released on her own recognizance.

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, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.