Criminal Investigator Visits Oxford Town Hall

A state police detective met with Oxford Finance Director James Hliva in Town Hall Tuesday as part of the continuing investigation into former tax collector Karen Guillet.

Hliva characterized the visit as routine. The visits apparently happen every few months as the criminal investigation continues.

The detective working on the case was in town hall to review information that he requested from the advisory committee. It was a routine visit in the ongoing case. He did not meet with me during his visit,” First Selectwoman Mary AnnDrayton-Rogers said in an e‑mail to the Valley Indy Wednesday.

The advisory committee is a group looking at policies and procedures regarding tax collection in Oxford.

Oxford began an internal investigation into Guillet in late 2009, after someone in Town Hall expressed concerns to Drayton-Rogers.

Officials then discovered thousands of dollars had gone missing over the course of several years.

State police investigators entered the picture in early 2010. A detective was to meet with a prosecutor about the case in September 2010.

State police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said Tuesday he had no update on the state police investigation.

While no criminal charges have been filed, the town is suing Guillet in civil court.

In that case, the town says Guillet misappropriated $670,000 over six years.

The civil case is pending.

Guillet resigned in June 2010.