Woman admits embezzling Newport money
delewareonline.com | 4/19/08 | Ira Porter
An administrative assistant and bookkeeper for the town of Newport confessed to embezzling more than $100,000 over a threeyear period, police said. Cynthia Reynolds, 48, of the 100 block of W. Thomson Drive, Elkton, Md., turned herself in Friday, according to Newport Police Chief Michael J. Capriglione.
The thefts began in 2004 and continued through 2007, totaling more than $128,000, police said. Reynolds started working for the town in 2003.
"That number is probably not going to be a final number," Capriglione said. "This investigation is ongoing."
Reynolds worked as a town bookkeeper and administrative assistant, enabling her to handle accounts for Alderman's Court 42. Reynolds falsified entries into the town's books and was discovered on March 27 after an official from the Delaware Office of Pensions noticed there had been no contributions from Newport into the state pension plan for several months, police said.
When they heard about the irregularities, Town Manager Rita Shade and Solicitor Stephen Robinson sent Reynolds home pending the outcome of an audit, according to a statement by Mayor Michael Spencer. A criminal investigation was launched March 28 and Reynolds was fired on March 31.
"Although the town commissioners are extremely disappointed by Ms. Reynolds' actions and her failure to honor the public trust, we take comfort in the fact that once the irregularity was uncovered, the town manager and solicitor moved swiftly to the audit and asked for a criminal investigation," Spencer said.
Capriglione also said payments to the town or court were accepted in cash or check. However, Reynolds kept the cash and documented only check payments, Capriglione said.
"When we realized there was a problem with the bills we didn't think it was going to be theft. We thought it would probably be bad bookkeeping," Capriglione said.
Reynolds was charged with theft over $100,000, tampering with public records and official misconduct. She was arraigned and released on $5,000 unsecured bail. She could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted. "We're hoping to get restitution for the taxpayers' money," Capriglione said.In his statement, Spencer said that "depending on any amount of restitution, the town has employee fidelity insurance to cover some or all of the loss."
Robinson was unavailable for comment.