State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Franklin County District Attorney Elizabeth Crawford and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced that Bridget Brown, the former treasurer of the Essex County Agricultural Society and former Willsboro town clerk/tax collector, pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $90,000 in funds from the society and the town.

“Bridget Brown exploited the trust of her community and used her two positions to enrich herself at taxpayer expense,” DiNapoli said. “My thanks to Franklin County District Attorney Crawford and Superintendent James for their partnership in fighting public corruption and holding Bridget Brown accountable.”

The Franklin County District Attorney’s Office served as special prosecutor, with Executive Assistant District Attorney Alyxandra Stanczak assigned.

“Thanks to the Comptroller’s Office, especially the forensic analysts and the attorneys who provided their time and expertise through the investigation, indictment, and in preparation for trial,” Crawford said. “As public officials ourselves, we understand the trust placed in government organizations. We are proud to uphold our oaths to bring a just result to this case — holding Bridget Brown accountable for her betrayal of the public trust when she used her position as tax assessor and town clerk to steal from the taxpayers of the Town of Willsboro. Ms. Brown also financially decimated the Essex County Fair, having now been convicted of stealing over $50,000 from that organization. The Fair is a summer destination for the community and by the community. The fair has thankfully been able to persist despite Ms. Brown’s theft. As a part of her negotiated plea agreement and her conditions of probation, Ms. Brown will be required to pay full restitution back to the Town and the Fair.”

“Ms. Brown violated the public trust by disregarding the law and stealing funds she was not entitled to,” James said. “We will continue to aggressively investigate any case that involves public corruption. I want to commend our State Police members, the Comptroller’s Office, and Franklin County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in making sure she will no longer be able to take advantage of those who put their trust in her.”

The Essex County Agricultural Society is a non-profit organization whose mission is to encourage and promote agriculture in young children and adults through the Essex County Fair. Brown worked for the society from 2013 to 2019. She also separately served as Willsboro town clerk/tax collector from 2014 to 2021, having lost election in 2021.

Investigators found that while employed with the society, Brown overpaid herself and made unauthorized ATM withdrawals and personal purchases using the society’s bank account. She also used $5,300 of society funds to repay a personal loan. To facilitate her theft, she falsified the fair’s business records. She also obtained an unauthorized $20,000 loan on behalf of the fair, which the society’s board was unaware of and did not approve, in order to cover up her theft. In total, she is accused of stealing approximately $60,000 from the society.

In light of her actions as the fair treasurer, an examination was launched into her activities in the Town of Willsboro. An investigation and forensic audit determined that during Brown’s tenure as town clerk/tax collector, she stole approximately $29,000 from taxes, licenses, and landfill fees by pocketing cash payments rather than depositing the funds into the town’s account. The forensic analysis revealed that on certain days when Brown collected cash for the town there were corresponding nearly identical cash deposits into her personal bank account.

Brown pled guilty to grand larceny in the second degree in relation to the funds stolen from the fair and grand larceny in the third degree as a crime of public corruption related to the theft from Willsboro before Judge Tatiana Coffinger in Essex County Court. Her sentencing is scheduled for July 25, 2025.