An administrative clerk from a small upstate New York town was a corrupt officer. For the first time in New York State's history, authorities investigated and banned her pension due to her illegal activities.

Ursula Stone.Photo byNew York City Comptroller's Office

According to the Office of the New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Ursula Stone, 56, embezzled $1,171,362 from Addison Village's coffers over almost two decades.

Because of her conviction, Stone's $1,920 monthly pension was confiscated under New York anti-corruption legislation. She entered a guilty plea in May to one count of felony corruption of the government, and on August 7th, she is expected to get a sentence ranging from three to nine years in state prison.

Prosecution Praised DiNapoli's Investigation

The prosecution argued that if DiNapoli had not initiated an investigation, Stone's 19-year theft would not have been found.

According to the comptroller's office, Stone, who took over the post in 1997, appeared in Steuben County Court last week and agreed to surrender her pension, the first of its sort in state history.

According to Baker, the truth is that it would still be happening if state comptroller staff members hadn't done some serious heads-up detection work.

Raising Wages, Unrecorded Vocations, And Receiving Health Insurance Payouts

He said that Stone was singled out for the pension reduction because of the impact her scheme had on the hamlet.

According to a 2022 audit conducted by DiNapoli's office, Stone embezzled Addison's money without supervision.

She raised wages, took unrecorded vacation time, cashed in on unused days, and even received health insurance payouts.

According to DiNapoli's office, the ex-pensioner took checks meant for the town and put the money into her personal account.