Members of the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance met in a closed-door session for 30 minutes Monday night to discuss the ongoing investigation of money allegedly missing from the Tax Collector’s office.
Tax Collector Karen Guillet was placed on paid sick leave Jan. 13 after First Selectwoman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers received a tip about missing money.
Officials are not saying how much money they think is missing. Guillet has not been charged with a crime, but state police are looking into the matter.
After Monday night’s executive session, Drayton-Rogers told reporters the town is researching its insurance policy to make sure it has coverage up to $100,000 to cover any losses related to the investigation.
In addition, some Oxford residents who have paid their taxes are receiving delinquent notices. Drayton-Rogers said the Board of Selectmen will meet Wednesday “to give direction and permission” to the interim Tax Collector to handle the discrepancies.
“I want our residents with proof of payment on items they have received delinquent notices on to contact the Tax Collector’s office to resolve the issue,” Drayton-Rogers said.
An audit of the Tax Collector’s office was scheduled to be given to state police on Monday.
Drayton-Rogers, who has been giving regular updates on the status of the investigation, said police have told her to stop talking about it now that it is in their hands.
Drayton-Rogers also said she met with Guillet and Guilet’s attorney earlier this month.
The First Selectwoman declined to elaborate on the meeting, other to say that Guillet is innocent until proven guilty.
Lila Ferrillo, chairwoman of the Board of Finance, said she could not comment on the details of the executive session.
As a taxpayer and concerned resident, I am very pleased with the decisiveness of 1st Selectman Drayton-Rogers to move quickly to have an audit and contact the state police in this matter. As disheartening as this situation is, the immediacy of her reactions prove her leadership skills. The transparency of her actions and consistent updates of information to residents is outstanding. Keep up the good work. Oxford is safe and secure.
I’m a taxpayer and a concerned resident as well. However I have a problem that we have yet to know the extent of how much money is missing. From the above statement “Drayton-Rogers told reporters the town is researching its insurance policy to make sure it has coverage up to $100,000 to cover any losses related to the investigation.” This leads me to believe the missing money could be well up to or over $100,000, I’m not comfortable knowing that this could be the case. And the poor taxpayers receiving delinquent notices deserve to know where their payments went. The selectman’s updates have been vague and have provided me with nothing new…
FEDUP
This is now a criminal investigation. It is out of the hands of the Town. We will all know the facts when it can be released. Let’s not think facts are being hidden. No one wants the investigation compromised. The insurance policy may cover any legal costs to defend as well as the amount of the loss. Just let the State Police do their job and the taxpayers will be better off.
to FEDUP and others with similar concerns. Obviously, since there is a criminal investigation going on, limited information can be given out to the public. Anyone who paid their taxes and has a receipt, will be fine and not deemed delinquent. Common sensed will prevail during this investigation. You will be, I’m sure, provided with as much info as possible during this time and the full findings after it has been settled.
To FEDUP / Cease the political bashing.
To thegomp / Cease your sickening political over-praise of Drayton-Rogers.
I’m sure whether it was a Republican administration ,or a Democrat Administration, this unfortunate mess would be(and is)handled in a timely & proper manner. So, stop adding ugly politics to something non-political.
The case is now labeled “criminal” and in the hands of the State Police. Trust them to do their job, and don’t interfere with promoting unfounded rumors or anything that may disrupt their investigation.
It’s a sad and unfortunate incident for all parties. I urge citizen patience. All will come out when the investigation is over, and note, depending on the on-going findings, this case could drag on for quite awhile.
Beyond emphasizing patience, I do say that when the findings are made known, no leniency should be shown if the tax collector is found guilty. Aside from criminal penalty, whether $1,000 or $1,000,000 has been stolen, the town should be paid back. Depending on your point of view, any dollar stolen would have either served to reduce the mil rate (thus you would have had lower taxes), or served to buy more text books and the like (depending on Oxford’s voting preference).
For now, let’s cool our jets.
to Common Sense,
You’re correct, politics should not play a part in this matter. As far as D-R is concerned, my issue was the doubt portrayed by Fed Up on the handling of this situation. It was done properly and either party leadership would have followed proper procedure. Thanks for your input.
Dear gomp,
1st know that I’m independent. As for your response to me, your obviously political comment began this chain and was the catalyst serving to “fire up” the opposing side of yourself (our FEDUP).
Please accept that, and get on with your life.
My last on this matter.
thegomp
You stated, “Oxford is safe and secure”. Yeah sure thegomp, read the next article by the Valley Independent dated Feb 25, 2010,
“Some Oxford Residents Paid Taxes, But Did Not Receive Credit”
” ‘some residents had their tax payments erased from the record, First Selectwoman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers said.’ ”
“Residents have been reporting they received delinquent notices on tax bills they already paid. Officials are not saying how many people had their payments erased.”
Your comments at best sound just like a democrat making a political statement to support Rogers.
O.F.M., Be well aware of another news story that said all residents that have a paid receipt will not be delinquent. The trouble with your reasoning is lack of facts. Which is typical of all of your comments in this media.
I understand residents that received delinquent notices will be credited…but the keywords in that article which alarms me are “MISSING” and “ERASED.” I don’t find that safe or secure at all.
FedUP, hence the investigation!
that’s why we are insured.
Let this run it’s course.
Done.
To both FEDUP and thegomp,
I find it unbelievable that the two of you are still at it. If you can’t resist, how about adding something meanigful, otherwise I strongly recommend you both move on and await the findings of the state police.
Oxford is not unlike other municipalities, and I doubt this will be the last issue we face.
If you truly want to contribute, and assuming you have some set of useful skills, I encourage you both to get involved with your parties and onto the various boards. As we all know, both parties in Oxford need more talented people who are truly committed to rolling up their sleeves and performing civil service.
On this matter, do Oxford and yourselves a big favor. Give up your senseless comments and move on.
Peace, Common Sense
FEDUP – Thank you for repeating our concerns for tax payments “MISSING” and “ERASED” that I quoted from the Valley Independent article. thegomp appears to have reading and comprehension issues. tg/DiO
CS is correct to mention Oxford just as other communities have issues and this is not the last Oxford will face. When this tax collector investigation is finished our town will become a better town. Hope you can accept that tg.