Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the sentencing of Melinda “Mindy” Wormuth, the former town of Halfmoon Supervisor, on state charges for stealing several campaign contributions donated to her campaign fund. The public corruption case arose out of a cooperative federal-state partnership between the State Comptroller, the Attorney General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York.

“New Yorkers have every right to expect their public officials to act with honesty and integrity,” said Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. “We will continue to partner with Attorney General Schneiderman, United States Attorney Hartunian and the Federal Bureau of Investigations to hold accountable those who violate the public’s trust.”

“This sentencing makes it clear that if a public official misuses campaign funds, they will face consequences, including time in jail,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Through a collaborative effort with Comptroller DiNapoli, U.S. Attorney Hartunian, and the F.B.I., we were able to strike a blow against public corruption and ensure that justice is served.”

“Ms. Wormuth was elected into office to represent her community,” said Special Agent in Charge Andrew W. Vale. “Instead she took advantage of the public’s trust for her own personal gain. The actions of Ms. Wormuth erode the public’s trust in our elected officials. The FBI is proud to have worked this investigation jointly with the United States Attorney’s Office, the Internal Revenue Service, the Attorney General’s Office and the Comptroller’s Office. We stand committed to continuing to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate corruption at all levels.”

Wormuth previously pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree in Saratoga County Court. The Honorable Matthew J. Sypniewski sentenced Wormuth to 10 months of incarceration in the county jail with said term to run concurrent with a term of incarceration in a federal penitentiary stemming from related charges in federal court.

As part of the plea agreement, Wormuth must also pay $1,250 in restitution to the Friends of Mindy Wormuth campaign committee and terminate the committee in accordance with the New York State Election Law. Wormuth also agreed to contribute any remaining funds of that campaign committee to a charity that is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service, but is not one over which she or a member of her family holds controls or decision making powers.

The charges against Wormuth claimed that between July 2009 and July 2013, Wormuth cashed seven contribution checks, totaling $6,250, intended for Friends of Mindy Wormuth. She then pocketed the proceeds without reporting the contributions to the committee’s treasurer, or on the Financial Disclosure Reports that were filed with the State Board of Elections.

The felony complaint relied, in part, on statements that Wormuth made to the FBI, including an admission that she cashed and spent certain checks made payable to her campaign. In one FBI interview, Wormuth attributed some of her actions to her bitterness at not receiving her political party’s endorsement for reelection in November 2013.

From 2007 to January, 2013, Wormuth served as the Supervisor of the town of Halfmoon in Saratoga County. In that capacity, she headed the Halfmoon Town Board and served as the town’s representative on the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors.

The case was investigated by the Comptroller’s Division of Investigations. The Attorney General and State Comptroller thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York for their partnership.

The case was handled by former Senior Assistant Attorney General Darren Miller and Assistant Attorney General Bridget Holohan Scally of the Public Integrity Bureau. The Public Integrity Bureau is led by Bureau Chief Daniel Cort and Deputy Bureau Chief Stacy Aronowitz. The investigation was conducted by Investigator Mitch Paurowski of the Investigations Bureau with assistance from Associate Forensic Auditor Jason W. Blair of the Forensic Audit Unit. The Forensic Audit Unit is led by Edward Keegan. The Investigations Bureau is led by Bureau Chief Dominick Zarrella and Deputy Bureau Chief Antoine Karam. The Criminal Division is led by Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice Kelly Donovan.

Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by filing a complaint online at [email protected], or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 14th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236. Review prior cases at http://www.osc.state.ny.us/investigations/index.htm.