Community Corner

Shelton's Scanlon Guilty Of Theft, Faces 3-7 Years

Former Shelton Assistant Finance Director Sharon Scanlon pleaded no contest Thursday to first-degree larceny and first-degree forgery for stealing $100,000 a year from the city for nearly 10 years.

Wearing a white fleece and and black suit pants, Scanlon agreed to a plea deal under which she could get three to seven years in prison. The two counts carried a total maximum of 30 years, said State's Attorney Kevin Lawlor. The hearing was held in Milford Superior Court.

A "nolo contendere" (no contest) plea results in a finding of guilt, but is inadmissible in a civil action. She will be sentenced Jan. 16, 2014 in Milford Superior Court. 

Scanlon can argue for a reduced sentence but for no less than three years and no more than seven. The total sentence would 15 years suspended after three to seven years served, and five years of probation. She must also make restitution and has forfeited her city pension.

Scanlon's attorney, William Dow, would not say why she took the money, previously estimated at $1 million or more. But he said she has "strong family support." They sat in the back row of the court room.

Lawlor told Judge John Ronan Thursday that Scanlon took the money between 2003 and 2012, but that she could only be prosecuted for 2008 to 2012 because of the statute of limitations. Scanlon was arrested in January 2013 on 56 counts of first-degree forgery and one count of first-degree larceny.

From 2008 to 2012, she took $478,396, Lawlor said, adding she took about $100,000 a year in the long term.

An investigation of Scanlon, who worked for the city for 17 years before resigning in 2012, began in February 2012 when another finance employee noticed a voided check on her desk for $7,825.

State Police later stepped in and found Scanlon had "drafted fraudulent checks from the Shelton City Hall and deposited those fraudulent checks into her personal checking account via ATM at selected locations, over a ten-year period."

The city will recover some of the money through insurance, Dow said. Scanlon must pay back what the city cannot recover.

Scanlon, of Shelton, has two children and grew up in Shelton. She said she has a business degree from Southern Connecticut State University.

Dow said his client is a "kind and decent woman." Without specifying why she took the money, he said, "I know the judge will be sensitive to [her] situation." He said he would ask for the minimum sentence.

Dow also said Scanlon “had acknowledged responsibility” and “made substantial efforts at restitution.”

Lawlor said the arrest is a "credit to the State Police. They did a tremendous investigation." He added he had "faith" the judge would impose an appropriate sentence within the terms.

Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti declined to comment on Scanlon's possible sentence.


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