ALEXANDER, N.Y. — A town clerk in Genesee County is facing multiple charges including grand larceny after stealing nearly $3,000 and altering town records.
Shannon Tiede was first elected town clerk of Alexander in 2019. Investigators say that over the course of nearly four years, Tiede allegedly pocketed cash payments made to the town and manipulated records to disguise the theft.
Along with grand larceny, she is also charged with falsifying business records, forgery, and corrupting the government.
Tiede is due back in court on Aug. 13 in Town of Alexander Court.
The arrest follows an audit and an investigation by the office of New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
“Ms. Tiede was entrusted to safeguard public finances but instead she allegedly abused her position to steal town funds and attempted to hide her crime,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “I thank District Attorney Finnell and the State Police for their ongoing partnership in combatting public corruption.”
Added Genesee County District Attorney Finnell: “The Genesee County District Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecute those who violate the public trust, particularly those who divert public funds to their own use. I would like to thank ADA Victor Mui, the State Comptroller, and the New York State Police for their hard work on this investigation.”