Oxford's former tax collector was arrested on Wednesday and charged with larceny and forgery in the wake of allegations that she misappropriated over $670,000 from city funds. According to the allegations, the woman had fabricated bank deposit slips as part of a check-lapping scheme.

The 61-year-old reportedly resigned from her position after the allegations came out in December 3009. It had been found that $671,768 was stolen between July 2003 and December 2009, and a two year investigation followed. On Wednesday morning, she was charged with first-degree larceny and six counts of first-degree forgery before being released on $100,000 cash bond.

As sources pointed out that, while the former tax collector has not been found guilty, a Superior Court judge has already signed a warrant for the woman's arrest, indicating that at least he felt it was more likely than not that she committed the crime. Sources also said, however, that the woman has already admitted to at least one individual that she stole city funds.

In response to the incident, a new computer system has reportedly been installed in the Oxford tax collector's office to increase accountability, as well as an assistant treasurer to audit tax collections on a weekly basis. According to Oxford's newly elected tax collector, the new system will introduce checks and balances into the system, which allowed discrepancies in tax records to occur over a number of years.

In addition to the criminal charges, a civil lawsuit has been filed against the former tax collector, in which the city is attempting to recoup stolen funds.

The woman is set to be arraigned in Derby Superior Court on December 12.

Source: Connecticut Post, "Ex-Oxford tax collector charged with larceny," Anne M. Amato, November 30, 2011.