First Selectwoman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers said Wednesday the town has a “pretty clear picture” of how money allegedly went missing from the town’s Tax Collector’s office.
There is still an active investigation underway, so Drayton-Rogers isn’t saying how much money is missing.
“We are going to wait until all the pieces are in place,” she said.
However, she said she filed lodged a formal complaint with state police Feb. 11 against Karen Guillet, the veteran Tax Collector who was placed on paid sick leave Jan. 13.
An audit of the Tax Collector’s department was due Feb. 18. Drayton-Rogers said its completion was delayed because of bad weather and the three-day weekend.
It is expected any day now, Drayton-Rogers said.
The audit covers July 2009 through December 2009.
Guillet declined to accept the money from the town for sick leave. She has hired an attorney.
State police are already investigating the Tax Collector’s department. They are checking financial statements and other records dating back to 2008. State police do not comment on pending complaints or investigations.
The audit, when finished, will be given to police.
“We will work with police during the investigation but essentially it will be in their hands,” Drayton-Rogers said.
On Wednesday, auditors were at Oxford Town Hall cross-checking information provided by Naugatuck Savings Bank.
“This is something where they need to be extremely accurate,” Drayton-Rogers said. “(The auditors) are working diligently to get us a report.”
In the meantime, the Board of Selectmen appointed a committee to examine the Tax Collector’s policies and procedures.
Drayton-Rogers appointed Town Clerk Margaret Potts-West to make all bank deposits for the tax collector’s office.
“This will ensure the office will be more efficient and easily traceable,” she said.
