William Thornton, a 49-year-old Monticello resident and the former business manager of the Eldred Central School District, was arrested on Friday on charges that he stole $20,000 from the district.
On November 17, 2012, state police say, the Eldred school district reported to state police that $20,000 was missing from one of the district's accounts. Several days later, the Times Herald-Record reported, Thornton resigned amidst allegations of "financial improprieties."
According to a release issued by the Eldred Central School District about Thornton's recent arrest, the district received a restitution check for $20,000 from Thornton in December of 2012, but has been unable to cash it. On Friday, February 15, Thornton voluntarily turned himself in to state police.
After an investigation, state police determined that Thornton stole the funds by making two electronic transfers of money out of the school's account. Thornton is charged with two counts of third-degree grand larceny and one count of first-degree falsifying of business records, both felonies.
Thornton was arraigned in the Town of Highland court and released after posting $20,000 bond.
