HAMBURG, N.Y. (WKBW) — A woman was sentenced Monday for stealing over $150,000 from the Village of Hamburg.
54-year-old Joanne Erickson of Hamburg was sentenced to three months of intermittent incarceration followed by five years probation according to the Erie County District Attorney's Office.
Erickson was employed as a recreation attendant for the Village of Hamburg when she stole a total of $156,374 from August 2011 to November 2017.
According to the district attorney's office, Erickson pocketed cash payments that were intended for a children's summer program, an after-school program and recreational hall fees. She also admitted to altering cash reports submitted to the village and recreation center supervisor.
“Over the course of six years, this defendant embezzled money that should have been used to support programs for children in her community,” said Erie County District Attorney John Flynn. “My office will continue to prosecute those who steal from taxpayers. I hope that the public feels justice has been served by Ms. Erickson pleading guilty to felony charges and paying back all of the money she stole from the Village of Hamburg.
"I want to thank the New York State Comptroller’s Office for their help in this investigation.”
Erickson pleaded guilty to charges of grand larceny, falsifying business records and official misconduct in October.
According to the district attorney's office Erickson's defense attorney provided a check to the village in the full amount of criminal restitution prior to her sentencing.
The New York Comptroller's Office discovered the theft and made the district attorney's office aware of the theft.
