Former town clerk in Chenango County sentenced for embezzling nearly $4K

LINCOLN, N.Y. — The former clerk for the Town of Lincoln in Chenango County pledguilty to stealing nearly $4,000 from the town, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced.

Amy Becker, 54, was charged with petit larceny. She served as town clerk in Lincoln from 2018-2022. During that time, she accepted payments for the town including fees for marriage licenses, death certificates, and the dog pound, and was responsible for recording and depositing the funds.

During an audit of the Town of Lincoln, DiNapoli’s office found a cash shortage. An investigation found that Becker failed to report $3,869 in cash deposits, instead embezzling the money for her own personal use.

“Ms. Becker abused her position by taking funds paid to her town and making them her own,” DiNapoli said in a news release. “Those in public service have a responsibility to act in taxpayers’ interests, not line their own pockets.”

Becker pled guilty before Judge Stephanie Palmer in the Town of Lenox Court. She paid full restitution and received a one-year conditional discharge.

The investigation was a joint effort of DiNapoli’s office, the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office, and New York State Police.

“Ms. Becker abused her position in a place of trust to concoct a devious scheme and steal funds from the town,” New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven G. James said. “The New York State Police will not tolerate those who misuse their position as a public servant to profit at the expense of taxpayers.”