The Peru Gazette

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced the arrest of Lisa Dillon after an investigation with the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office found the former town of Norfolk justice court clerk misappropriated nearly $10,000 in court fees paid by defendants.
“Ms. Dillon was entrusted with collecting the fines and surcharges imposed on defendants by the court for a variety of cases; instead she abused that trust by pocketing thousands of those dollars and falsifying records in a vain attempt to conceal her crimes,” DiNapoli said. “The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office was instrumental in helping my staff bring this individual to justice. We will continue to work with law enforcement across the State to protect taxpayers’ money.”
Dillon, 36, was charged yesterday with third degree grand larceny, third degree corrupting the government and first degree tampering with public records, all Class D felonies. She is also charged with offering a false instrument for filing, a Class E felony, and public corruption.
As a court clerk, Dillon was responsible for collecting court fines and surcharges and recording the receipts in the court’s official paper and electronic record systems. She also prepared deposits for the justices, reported applicable court transactions to the state Department of Motor Vehicles and prepared monthly Justice Court Fund reports, which are submitted to the Comptroller’s office. The investigation revealed that money was collected but never deposited and that Court records had been altered to hide the missing funds. Dillon, an employee at the Justice Court since August 2013, admitted some of her wrongdoing and resigned on Jan. 11, 2016 after two judges confronted her about the shortages.
The matter was referred to DiNapoli’s Division of Investigations by the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office after the Justices reported their findings. DiNapoli’s office discovered several thousands of additional misappropriated dollars as well as Dillon’s falsification of various court records.
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 investigations@osc.state.ny.us, or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 14th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.