The elected tax collector for the town of Taylor faces grand larceny and official misconduct charges after investigators accused her of keeping more than $18,000 in tax money collected for the town.
Jaymie Closson, 41, appeared in Cortland County Superior Court in the case, according to a news release from state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. Her next court date is Nov. 25.
The comptroller’s office began investigating after a routine audit identified irregularities in the town’s tax collections. Investigators said the suspected thefts took place from 2018 through 2023 and totaled $18,463.12.
Closson’s responsibilities included receiving residents’ tax payments and sending the town any penalties and interest paid when taxes were late. Investigators said she collected those amounts along with the underlying tax payments but failed to turn the penalties and interest over to the town.
Authorities accused her of keeping the penalties and interest for her own use.
Investigators also accused Closson of marking her own taxes as paid even though she had not made the payments. The release said she has held the elected tax collector position since 2015.
DiNapoli announced the charges with Cortland County District Attorney Patrick Perfetti and New York State Police Superintendent Steven James. Perfetti said the comptroller’s investigators helped prosecutors present the accounting evidence involved in the case.
DiNapoli said the investigation concerned an abuse of a public position and residents’ trust. James credited the cooperation between State Police and the other agencies investigating the town’s finances.
Suspected fraud involving taxpayer money can be reported to the comptroller’s office at 888-672-4555 or through its Division of Investigations. Written complaints can be sent to the Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.
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