Over $2,000 Missing From Town Of Lebanon Justice Court

An audit by the New York State Comptroller's office has found that more than $2,000 is missing from the Town of Lebanon Justice Court in Madison County.
Town officials requested the audit be done and when it began the Town Justice immediately resigned his position.

Records for January 2011 through March 2013 show the town justice failed to account for all money received. A review of court bank records shows that the justice had not deposited all cash collected and was substituting cash with check and money orders to cover shortages.

The State Comptroller's office also revealed the town justice failed to submit funds collected to the town supervisor in a timely manner, prepare monthly bank reconciliations and monthly reports to the state Justice Court Fund, maintain a proper perpetual bail listing as required, and deposit money in the same amount and form as received.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli urged town officials to recover any money due to the town and state.

He also made several other recommendations to improve the oversight of the justice court.