Bridget Brown, the former treasurer of the Essex County Agricultural Society and former Willsboro town clerk and tax collector, has been sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay nearly $90,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to grand larceny in the second and third degrees as a crime of public corruption. The sentencing follows her conviction for stealing funds from both the agricultural society and the town.
State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli commented on the case: “Bridget Brown abused the trust of multiple communities and treated public money in her care as her own to fund her lifestyle. Now she is a convicted felon and has been ordered to repay the money she stole. This case should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can steal from their community and get away with it. My thanks to Franklin County District Attorney Crawford and Superintendent James for their partnership in ensuring Bridget Brown was held accountable for her crimes.”
Franklin County District Attorney Elizabeth Crawford highlighted the complexity of the investigation: “I am thankful to the investigators who dedicated themselves to the successful prosecution of this case, which required the review and analysis of thousands of pages of records that spanned a period of theft from 2013 until 2021 between two organizations and three separate job titles that the defendant held. On the eve of the 176th Essex County Fair, we are hopeful that defendant will pay restitution to that organization promptly. Ms. Brown stole from the public for years without remorse and now has to face the consequences of her actions.”
Executive Assistant District Attorney Alyxandra Stanczak prosecuted the case.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James stated: “This case is a clear example of how public corruption erodes trust and harms the very communities public servants are sworn to serve. Ms. Brown betrayed that trust for personal gain, but thanks to the thorough investigative work and strong interagency cooperation, she is being held accountable. I thank Comptroller DiNapoli and District Attorney Crawford for their continued partnership in protecting New Yorkers from fraud and abuse.”
Brown worked at Essex County Agricultural Society—a nonprofit supporting agriculture through events like the Essex County Fair—from 2013 through 2019, while also serving as Willsboro’s town clerk/tax collector between 2014 and 2021.
Investigators found that Brown took about $60,000 from society funds by increasing her own paychecks, making ATM withdrawals, using organizational accounts for personal purchases, and falsifying business records. She also misappropriated an additional $29,000 by keeping payments made by residents for taxes, licenses, or landfill fees during her tenure with Willsboro.
Brown pleaded guilty in May before Judge Tatiana Coffinger in Essex County Court. In addition to restitution, she must pay a 10% surcharge on top of what she owes; total repayment amounts to $97,600.
Comptroller DiNapoli encourages members of the public who suspect fraud involving taxpayer money or government programs to report allegations via phone at 1-888-672-4555 or online at the Office of State Comptroller’s investigations page.
