A former administrative clerk in a small town in upstate New York has lost her pension after being caught stealing over $1.1 million from the village where she worked. Ursula Stone, 56, was found guilty of taking funds from Addison Village over a period of almost 20 years. As a result of her conviction for corrupting the government, she has been stripped of her monthly pension of $1,920.
This marks the first time in New York State history that someone has had their pension forfeited under the state’s anti-corruption law. Stone pleaded guilty to the charges in May and is facing a sentence of three to nine years in state prison. The District Attorney for Steuben County, Brooks Baker, described Stone’s actions as a shocking breach of public trust that went undetected for nearly two decades.
The theft was uncovered thanks to an investigation by the Office of the New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. Stone, who had been in her position since 1997, was able to embezzle funds from Addison Village without any oversight. She manipulated the village’s finances by issuing unauthorized raises, taking unrecorded vacation time, and cashing out on unused days. Additionally, she diverted checks intended for the village into her personal bank account.
After investigators began closing in on her activities, Stone resigned from her position in March 2023 but attempted to write herself a final check for $26,000. Fortunately, the village board intervened and stopped the payment before she could cash it. Despite the evidence against her, Stone’s attorney has not provided any comments on the matter.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of oversight and accountability in financial management, especially in small communities where trust is paramount. The forfeiture of Stone’s pension sends a clear message that corruption and theft will not be tolerated, and those who betray the public’s trust will face serious consequences. It is a significant step towards ensuring transparency and integrity in local governance.
