state comptroller

Ursula Stone, the former clerk-treasurer of the village of Addison in Steuben County, who stole more than $1.1 million in public funds, will be required to pay full restitution and serve prison time as part of a multi-year sentence, as well as forfeit her state pension.

The New York state comptroller’s office found the school district did not have a clear system for disabling old user accounts. The comptroller’s office says those accounts no longer in use could serve as entry points for a cyberattack on the system.

Eric Halstead was the mayor of the village of Candor in Tioga County for 12 years. He is accused of stealing over $23,500 from the village general fund. His arrest last week was the culmination of a year-long investigation by the state comptroller’s office and state police.

Mayor Eric Halstead resigned after the allegations. He now faces theft and corruption charges.

“There still is a digital divide, particularly in rural parts of the state, and for lower-income New Yorkers, who don’t have access or can’t afford a home subscription.”

The false claims amounted to 272 hours of sick and leave time, equivalent to over $6,000.