BUFFALO, N.Y. — A former deputy clerk in the Erie County Clerk's Office was arraigned in Buffalo City Court Friday for allegedly stealing more than $200,000 from the county office.
Alexander J. McDougall, 55, was charged with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. He was released Friday on his own recognizance.
McDougall's arrest comes after an audit by the Erie County Comptroller found irregularities in the county clerk's office finances in 2023.
The findings were referred to the New York State Comptroller and the Erie County District Attorney's office to investigate.
According to the findings of that investigation sometime between January 1, 2021, and June 1, 2023, McDougall allegedly stole more than $50,000 in cash, while working in the Registrar's Division of the Clerk's Office.
He then allegedly tried to conceal that crime by altering cashier reports and submitting fraudulent bank deposit tickets.
The total theft amount is estimated at $216,412.72, according to the Erie County District Attorney's Office. There is also no indication that anyone else in the clerk's office had anything to do with the alleged theft.
During a press conference Friday, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn stated that McDougall was "not a hardened criminal" and allegedly used the funds to pay for daily expenses for his special needs child and disabled wife.
Flynn expressed compassion towards McDougall's situation but said he would prosecute him.
"Obviously it's not good to steal money from the government, obviously this is embarrassing to the county... but things happen to people in life and I do have compassion," Flynn said.
McDougall had been suspended from his job in the Erie County Clerk's Office in mid-September and was fired in October.
Erie County Clerk Michael Kearns clarified Friday that McDougall's firing was based on job performance.
Kearns added that new policies and tighter controls have been added to the Clerk's Office since he learned of the allegations. A new Finance Deputy who is a Certified Public Accountant and has an extensive background in forensic auditing has also been hired to try and prevent something like this from happened again.
In a statement, District Attorney Flynn added: “This defendant is accused of using his position in the Clerk’s Office to steal money from the residents of Erie County.... while uncovering financial crimes tends to be an extensive and time-consuming process, I want the public to know that I am committed to obtaining justice and restoring their trust in government."
McDougall is scheduled to be back in court on April 15 for a felony hearing.
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