The former tax collector of Oxford is accused of embezzling more than $600,000 over her six years in office, but the town will be getting some of the money back.
The town will receive a $100,000 insurance settlement after filing a claim against Karen Guillet, First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers said.
“We're talking about taxpayer dollars, and I think this is the first step in returning some of those dollars to our taxpayers,” Drayton-Rogers said.
Dominick Thomas, Guillet's lawyer, told the Associated Press that he sees no connection between the insurance company settlement and accusations against his client and said he does not know why the insurance company paid the money, but it would have no bearing on any court proceedings.
Oxford residents said they believe this $100,000 is a good first step, but it's still not enough. They want someone to be held accountable.
“We pay our taxes, we pay our money, just like everybody else does, now it's gone. I mean, who knows where it is?,” Jesse Schremmer, owner of Jesse's Barber Shop, said.
Town officials said they have been talking with state police daily over the past few weeks to give detectives all the information they need to move forward with criminal charges.
NBC Connecticut called Guillet's attorney for comment, but could not reach him.
