Candor mayor charged with felonies, used village funds for personal use, state police say

A village mayor in Tioga County faces felony charges after investigators accused him of diverting village funds for his own use.

Following a joint investigation with the state Comptroller's Office, New York State Police at Owego on Monday arrested Candor Mayor Eric Halstead and charged him with second-degree corrupting the government and third-degree grand larceny, both felonies.

The investigation revealed that over several years while Halstead served as mayor, he withdrew more than $23,000 in cash from a village account for personal use, state police said.

Over time, Halstead replaced about $19,000, but still owes money to the Village of Candor, investigators said.

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After his arrest, Halstead was transported to the Tioga County Correctional Facility for arraignment. He was released on his own recognizance and scheduled to appear in the Town of Candor Court on Aug. 5.

Halstead was not at the Candor Village Hall and efforts to reach him for comment Tuesday afternoon were unsuccessful.

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