A former Oxford official accused of embezzling some $240,000 from town pleaded not guilty during a short appearance in Superior Court in Milford Monday morning.
Karen Guillet, the town’s former tax collector, is scheduled to appear in court again Jan. 24.
Guillet is charged with one count of first-degree larceny and six counts of first-degree forgery.
She is accused of stealing cash from taxpayers and forging documents to cover her tracks.
She was silent during her appearance Monday in front of Judge Richard Arnold. Guillet’s attorney, Dominick Thomas, entered the plea on her behalf.
The criminal case against Guillet is very early in the court process. No details of the case were discussed Monday. The not guilty plea was pro forma, meaning it was a formality to continue the court process.
It was Guillet’s second court appearance on the criminal charges.
State’s Attorney Kevin D. Lawlor said he has not reviewed all the materials connected to the case. The items reviewed have been given to Thomas as well, Lawlor said in court.
Guillet, the town’s elected tax collector for some 20 years, was arrested in late November after a two-year investigation by state police.
In addition to the criminal case, the town has a civil lawsuit pending against Guillet, claiming she stole more than $600,000 — more than state police allege in the warrant investigators received to charge Guillet.
Guillet appeared in court with one man, presumed to be a husband or family member.
The only other Oxford connection in the court was Roger O’Toole, a long-time Oxford resident who served on the Board of Selectmen from 1993 to 1995.
O’Toole said he was angered by the allegations against Guillet, if true. Guillet violated the trust of residents, he said.
“I believe she took a lot more money than what they say in the paper,” O’Toole said.
Guillet used stolen taxpayer funds to spoil herself with personal assistants, hotel stays and shopping sprees, according to state police. She allegedly gave co-workers and Oxford residents different stories about where her money came from.
“She told me something about a rich uncle,” O’Toole said outside court. “She fed me the same crap.”
