Former town court clerk in Wayne County pleads guilty to $50K theft

MARION — The former court clerk for the Town of Marion in Wayne County pleaded guilty to stealing more than $50,000 from the town court, according to a news release from state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Wayne County District Attorney Michael Calarco, and the New York State Police.

Eileen Steurrys pled guilty to second-degree grand larceny, second-degree corrupting the government, first-degree tampering with records, and official misconduct before Judge Richard M. Healy in Wayne County Court. 

“Ms. Steurrys went to great lengths to try and cover up her theft of public funds,” DiNapoli said in the release. “She now faces the consequences of her actions because of my office’s investigation and our partnership with District Attorney Calarco and the state police.”

Her crimes were uncovered during a comptroller audit of the Town of Marion Court Fund, which found that court fees collected were not always deposited into the court’s account. That launched an investigation, which determined that from 2016- 2021, Steurrys stole more than $50,000, altered court records, and created fake receipts to cover her crimes. She was arrested in March following the investigation.

“The auditors from the state comptroller did an exceptional and thorough investigation, which made my job of obtaining a conviction that much easier,” Wayne County District Attorney’s Office Prosecutor John J. Ferlicca said.

Steurrys’ sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 18.

“Ms. Steurrys manipulated a position she was entrusted in and used it to her own advantage,” New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli said. “We will not tolerate such corruption from those who use their position to profit at the expense of the local community.”