Judge Richard Arnold sentenced former Oxford Tax Collector Karen Guillet to serve four years in prison Wednesday after a sentencing at Superior Court in Milford that lasted nearly an hour.
“Ms. Guillet, you have brought shame upon everybody you have touched,” Judge Arnold said before handing down the four-year term on a single count of first-degree larceny to which Guillet pleaded guilty in July. She was arrested by state police — on charges of stealing taxpayer money — last November.
In addition to the prison time, Guillet will be on probation for five years after getting out of jail, during which Judge Arnold ordered her to pay a total of $243,902.18 to the town.
After her sentencing, she was led into the court’s lockup by judicial marshals.
During the hearing, State’s Attorney Kevin Lawlor, Oxford First Selectman George Temple, and Don Pelletier, a resident who obtained more than 500 signatures on a “no leniency” petition, all asked Judge Arnold to give Guillet a prison sentence at the high end of a plea agreement that called for up to five years behind bars.
Guillet’s lawyer, Dominick Thomas, asked Judge Arnold to give his client an 18-month prison term.
Guillet herself told Judge Arnold she was guilty of “the heinous crime of betrayal.” Click the play button above to see her whole statement.
“I brought shame on myself, I damaged my character beyond redemption. I have no integrity left,” Guillet said during remarks. “To say that I’m sorry is not a word that adequately describes how I feel. I live with regret and remorse, and it’s not easy for me at all.”
“I will not ask the town for forgiveness as I am not worthy of that gift, because I am responsible for the crime that I committed,” Guillet went on. “I ask no forgiveness. I am deserving of the town’s scorn, anger and bitterness. All I ask at this time is that the town would be able to find some peace knowing that I will be punished, and punished severely, for the crime I committed against them.”
Since her guilty plea, she agreed to a settlement with the state whereby her pension — which would have paid her $1,814.33 monthly, or $21,776 per year — was revoked in full.
Oxford officials believe the actual amount stolen is much higher and have a civil lawsuit pending against Guillet.
According to the arrest warrant state police used to charge Guillet, the former tax collector was stealing money from Oxford to pay for spa treatments, dog walkers, spending sprees at posh stores — and weekly deliveries of fresh flowers to her home.
The scandal left the town’s tax collection system in disarray, with hundreds of residents on a tax delinquent list when, in fact, they had paid their taxes.
This story will be updated.
