MIDDLEBURY — The Addison Central Supervisory Union has ordered an audit of its Weybridge school financial accounts in the wake of the resignation of Weybridge Town Clerk and Treasurer Karen Brisson, who admitted last week to having embezzled funds from the town.
Brisson additionally served as treasurer for the Weybridge school district.
“Yesterday we learned that Karen Brisson, Weybridge town clerk/treasurer, had resigned,” ACSU Superintendent Gail Conley said in an email message to the ACSU board and staff on Nov. 15. “Today, the Addison Independent reported that there is an investigation of missing town funds. Karen is also the treasurer for Weybridge town school district. We are confident that no school funds are missing. However, to be 100 percent accurate, we have hired our auditing firm, Angolano & Company, to do a forensic audit of our Weybridge funds for the Weybridge Elementary School and the Weybridge funds for the UD-3 budget.
“We realize how large a surprise and disappointment this apparent violation of the public trust is for all of us,” Conley added.
Conley said the last audit of the Weybridge school district was performed in 2010.
The Independent reported on Nov. 15 that Brisson had resigned after embezzling what Weybridge officials tentatively estimate as between $100,000 and $150,000 from the town coffers over a five-year period. Brisson, who was in her 27th year as clerk/treasurer, has offered to give the town a mortgage on her home as restitution for the offense. Weybridge officials said the town’s insurance will cover the balance of any funds that Brisson is not able to pay back.
As the Addison Independent went to press, Brisson had not yet been cited for any crime. The matter has been referred to the Addison County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Reporter John Flowers is at [email protected].