The Derby city attorney is investigating whether money went missing from the city’s tax collection office, the Valley Independent Sentinel has learned.
The amount of money possibly missing is unclear.
A full-time employee from Tax Collector Denise Cesaroni’s department was escorted out of Derby City Hall June 25.
Cesaroni told the Valley Indy earlier this week that “there was something that came to light that warranted looking into further.” She referred addition inquiries to Derby Corporation Counsel Joseph Coppola.
The Derby Board of Aldermen held an executive session Thursday night to discuss the matter with Cesaroni and Coppola. Executive sessions are closed to the public and are allowed under state law in certain circumstances.
Coppola told the officials he was conducting an investigation but didn’t provide extensive details.
After the meeting, Coppola told the Valley Indy he couldn’t comment, but confirmed he was conducting an investigation.
“When I’m done, they’ll be advised and then we’ll see,” Coppola said, referring to the Board of Aldermen.
When asked if the person escorted out of City Hall is still employed by the city, Coppola said: “I’m not going to say. I can’t comment. It’s too serious.”
As of June 23, Derby police had not received a complaint connected to the incident.
At the start of Thursday’s Aldermen meeting, former Mayor Marc Garofalo chided the city for not providing more information on what’s happening.
“It’s the public’s money,” Garofalo said. “The public has a right to know what’s going on and who is under investigation.”
