Staff Reports
In a stunning tale of public deception that could make even the most cynical taxpayer raise an eyebrow, Ursula Stone, the village clerk of a quaint little spot in Steuben County, stands accused of siphoning off a whopping $1.2 million from the public coffers over nearly two decades. While $1.2 million sounds like a Dr. Evil amount, it’s just a Tuesday for some barely-qualified government employees who somehow missed the “Integrity 101” class.
Stone’s alleged 19-year career is a masterclass in creative accounting—or perhaps just a prime example of how unchecked public officials can turn taxpayer money into their own personal slush fund. With a talent for turning public service into a get-rich-quick scheme, Stone seems to have embraced the spirit of “fleece the funds” rather than serve the community. Perhaps taxpayers should inquire if she has an underground lair stocked with stolen cash like a real-life villain.
Hooray! Thieving NYS pol loses her taxpayer-funded pension https://t.co/ZIanwqknsS pic.twitter.com/z0mJkE0yi1
— NY Post Opinion (@NYPostOpinion) August 6, 2024
But wait, there’s more! This alleged embezzler isn’t just heading for a criminal trial under the state’s anti-corruption law. Stone has made a “deal” to relinquish her $1,920 monthly pension. In a bizarre twist of fate, this means that instead of enjoying a cushy retirement funded by the very taxpayers she’s purportedly robbed, she’ll have to figure out how to survive all on her own. A real tragedy for someone who dedicated 19 years to public service, or perhaps just poetic justice?
This little piece of news demonstrates the kind of accountability that voters in Steuben County likely hoped would be the norm in their local government. There’s nothing quite like the sweet taste of corruption being snuffed out, although it does raise a larger question about what kind of vetting process exists for individuals who hold the public’s trust and finances. It seems that the only qualifications needed are a smile and a suitably plush corner office.
As residents reckon with the fallout of Stone’s alleged actions, they may also want to take a hard look at the systems in place meant to prevent such chicanery. After all, if a village clerk can pilfer millions without anyone raising a red flag for nearly two decades, just imagine what might be happening in the higher echelons of government. While the law is sometimes slow to catch up with wayward officials, the vigilance of the average taxpayer remains the best defense against the next Ursula Stone lurking in the shadows of local government.
