Members of both political parties are shocked over an investigation into money allegedly missing from Tax Collector Karen Guillet’s office.
Guillet has been placed on paid sick leave during the investigation, which should take approximately two weeks.
Guillet, a Democrat and Tax Collector in town for 24 years, would not not discuss the investigation in detail.
“We will see how it plays out,” she said Thursday.
First Selectwoman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers said she was informed by an anonymous source in mid-December of the missing money, which sparked an investigation.
Drayton-Rogers hired accountants Michaud and Accavallo of Ansonia, the town’s auditors, to conduct a procedural review of bank deposit activity from the Tax Collector’s Department dating back to July 2009.
Drayton-Rogers has additionally notified the state police, town attorney Fran Teodosio and officials from Naugatuck Savings Bank.
The First Selectwoman did not say how much money is allegedly missing.
“I am not going to go into specifics because there is an ongoing procedural review in the tax collector’s office,” Drayton-Rogers said.
She stopped short of calling the review an audit.
“No, it’s a procedural review,” Drayton-Rogers said. “We’re looking at bank deposit activity.”
Those who know Guillet said she is friendly, well known— and innocent until proven guilty.
“This is a tragedy,” said Peter Bunzl, former chairman of the Democratic Town Committee. “I am shocked and saddened by this.”
Bunzl said he hopes Republicans do not make the allegations into a political issue.
Former Republican First Selectman Augie Palmer, a Republican, called Guillet a hard worker and a honorable person.
“A person cannot be found guilty by accusations or finger pointing,” he said. “She is innocent until proven guilty.”
Drayton-Rogers said staffing at town hall will be adjusted to accommodate Guillet’s absence.
“This is an unsettling situation for me personally and my administration,” she said. “The town is doing everything to handle this efficiently and properly.”
The First Selectwoman also ordered all Town Hall employees not to comment on the matter to the press. They were instructed to refer inquiries to the First Selectwoman’s office.
