Republican First Selectman candidate George Temple has issued a response to the First Selectman’s press conference last Thursday regarding payment of bond money with regard to the former Oxford tax collector.
“In my opinion, in no way does receiving $100,000 in insurance money represent closure in this matter. It is ironic that Bernie Madoff perpetrated the largest Ponzi scheme in history and is now in a jail cell and has been for quite some time. He was arrested in the beginning of 2009. To date, it has not even been ascertained how much money was taken from the Town of Oxford by our former tax collector. Although, her share of her home has been attached, we have no idea how much money that represents. She was allowed to keep her Town pension to pay her attorney.’‘
“It appears we are no closer to justice in this matter than we were a year and a half ago, despite having appointed committees and other actions by the current administration. We need decisive moral leadership to express our outrage at the delay of this matter. Justice delayed is justice denied,’‘ said Temple, who said he “questions the timing of the payment from the insurance company and the timing of the announcement.’‘ He added, “this is not a political matter, it is a matter that deeply concerns the citizens of this fine community.’‘
“I propose the creation of a police commission in the Town of Oxford to handle complaints or suggestions regarding the policing of the Town. If such a commission were in existence today it would be able to bring to bear the full moral outrage of the Town of Oxford at this crime and encourage the prompt disposition of this matter. The police commission, of course, would be responsible to aid the State Police and Oxford Police in the smooth administration of justice. We are no closer today to resolving this matter than we were at the date of the tax collector’s resignation.”
“I am not an accountant and I do not understand the accounting process, but I do believe that our auditors bear some responsibility for this matter not being detected over the years during which the money was taken. Instead, the Town still employs the same auditing firm and accepts the same auditing standards. This is a curiosity that has yet to be explained.”
Click here to read all past articles about the Oxford tax collector investigation.
