Town clerk in the Finger Lakes pleads guilty to theft of public funds

POTTER, N.Y. — A former town clerk in the Finger Lakes region admitted in court this week she used her position to take nearly $47,000 in public money for her own use.

Julie Brown, former town clerk and tax collector for the Town of Potter in Yates County, pleaded guilty on Tuesday after pocketing public funds for her personal use and must pay back $46,646 in restitution, according to a news release from New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s office.

Her thefts were uncovered during a joint investigation by DiNapoli’s office, Yates County District Attorney Todd Casella’s office, and Yates County Sheriff Ronald Spike’s office.

Brown — a 49-year-old resident of the neighboring town of Middlesex — admitted before Judge Jason Cook in Yates County Court that she stole cash payments made to Potter for property taxes and fees for marriage licenses, dog licenses, hunting permits and building permits. The thefts took place between Jan. 1, 2018 and May 21, 2019, when Brown resigned, per the release.

Brown pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the 3rd degree as a public-corruption crime, corrupting the government in the 2nd degree, scheme to defraud in the 1st degree, two counts of tampering with public records in the 1st degree, and official misconduct. She agreed to pay $46,646 in restitution as part of her plea agreement, of which she paid $20,000 on the day of the plea.

“Ms. Brown violated the public trust by stealing community funds to cover her personal expenses and now has been held accountable for her crimes,” DiNapoli said.

“Finding justice where a public official acts contrary to their oath of office shows accountability for people’s confidence in our system,” added Sheriff Spike.

Brown was initially arrested on Nov. 20, 2020 and released on her own recognizance. She is due back in court for sentencing on May 25.