WEYBRIDGE — Town officials in Weybridge have hired a certified public accountant to do an independent audit of the town’s books in view of former Town Clerk/Treasurer Karen Brisson’s admission last month that she had embezzled municipal funds.
Weybridge Selectwoman Gale Hurd said the selectboard has hired Tom Telling, CPA, to conduct the audit, a process that was set to begin late last week following the receipt of cancelled checks from the bank. The financial audit is expected to last four to six weeks, according to Hurd.
Results of the audit will guide Vermont State Police investigators and Addison County State’s Attorney David Fenster in determining potential charges against Brisson, who served as Weybridge’s town clerk and treasurer for more than 26 years. Brisson has yet to be cited for any crime.
Brisson also served as treasurer for the Weybridge school district. The Addison Central Supervisory Union last month hired the auditing firm of Angolano & Company to do a forensic audit of the district’s Weybridge funds for the Weybridge Elementary School and for the UD-3 secondary school budget.
The Independent first reported on Nov. 15 that Brisson had resigned after saying she had embezzled town funds that Weybridge officials tentatively estimate at between $100,000 and $150,000 during a five-year period. Brisson has offered to give the town a mortgage on her home as restitution for the offense. Weybridge officials have said the town’s insurance will cover the balance of any funds that Brisson is not able to pay back.
Reporter John Flowers is at [email protected].