Former Erie County Clerk’s Office employee sentenced for stealing $320K

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A former employee of the Erie County Clerk’s Office who admitted to stealing more than $320,000 over four years was sentenced Friday before Judge Sheila DiTullio to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.

Alexander McDougall, a former deputy clerk, stole $320,159.33 from the clerk’s office between April 2019 and June 2023. Following the sentencing, Erie County DA Mike Keane described the end of the case as difficult and emotional.

The missing money came to light after an audit of the Clerk’s Office by the Erie County and State comptrollers.

According to the State Comptroller’s Office, the investigation found that cash was deposited into McDougall’s personal bank account and not the clerk’s account.

“Obviously what Mr. McDougall did was very disruptive,” said Keane. “He stole $320,000 from taxpayers in New York and that money has not been repaid … I say this is a difficult case because Mr. McDougall is someone who has a very difficult family situation.”

McDougall’s defense attorney said that the money wasn’t used for anything lavish, rather it was used for his wife and daughter’s medical needs.

In addition, the DA said McDougall never reported that stolen money on his tax returns, and because of that he owed just under $12,000 in state income tax.

McDougall pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny and offering a false instrument for filing. He was sentenced to the minimum for both counts, 1 1/3 to 4 for the first count and 1 to 3 for the second. The sentences will run concurrently.

He will be expected to pay back the full restitution, Keane said.

See Keane’s full remarks in the video player above.

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