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NEWS from the Office of the New York State Comptroller
Contact: Press Office 518-474-4015

DiNapoli: Springport Town Clerk Faces Criminal Charges

May 19, 2017

Springport Town Clerk Deborah Waldron was arrested today for allegedly trespassing on a town computer to boost her retirement benefits with the New York State and Local Retirement System, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said.

Waldron, 62, a 25-year town employee, was charged with offering a false instrument for filing in the 1st degree, computer trespass and official misconduct, following an investigation by the Comptroller, New York State Police and the Cayuga County District Attorney’s office. Waldron pleaded not guilty and is due back in Aurelius Town Court on June 28.

Waldron’s actions were exposed during the Comptroller’s review of Springport’s monthly retirement reports. DiNapoli’s office re-calculated her actual hours and benefits and prevented Waldron from receiving money to which she was not entitled.

"This town clerk marred a 25-year career as a public servant by allegedly trying to pad her hours," DiNapoli said. "Hopefully, her arrest will deter others from such corruption. My office works to safeguard the pension fund and thwart those who try to defraud the system."

To date, DiNapoli’s investigation of retirement frauds has led to 24 arrests and the recovery of nearly $3 million in retirement funds.

Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by filing a complaint online at [email protected], or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 14th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236. Review prior cases at http://www.osc.state.ny.us/investigations.