Friday, August 9, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 55-year-old Alexander J. McDougall of Buffalo pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class "C" felony) and one count of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (Class "E" felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charges.

Between on or about April 2, 2019, and on or about June 30, 2023, the defendant, while working as a Deputy Clerk in the Registrar's Division of the Erie County Clerk's Office, stole a sum of cash in excess of $50,000. The defendant attempted to conceal the crime by altering cashier reports and submitting fraudulent bank deposit tickets. The total theft amount is believed to be $320,159.33. The defendant used the stolen money to pay his rent and other personal expenses.

Last summer, our office became involved in the missing money investigation following an audit by the Erie County Comptroller's Office. The defendant was suspended from his position at the Clerk's Office in mid-September 2023. He was later fired from his position.

The defendant also pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge for failing to report the stolen money, considered to be personal income, on his tax returns. As a result, it was determined that the defendant owed $11,847.00 in state income taxes.

As a condition of the plea, McDougall signed Confessions of Judgment to pay full restitution to Erie County and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

McDougall faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. He remains released on his own recognizance.

"I am pleased to announce that this defendant has pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge. For more than four years, he used his position in the Clerk's Office to steal a significant sum of money from the residents of Erie County. In addition to uncovering this brazen theft, I want to commend the Erie County Comptroller's Office as well as our partners in the New York State Comptroller's Office and Erie County Sheriff's Office for their work on the case. I also commend the Erie County Clerk's Office for their full cooperation in this investigation. While uncovering financial crimes can be an extensive and time-consuming process, I want the public to know that we are committed to obtaining justice and restoring their trust in government by prosecuting the offenders and seeking full restitution," said Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Gary M. Ertel of the Public Integrity Unit.

The Erie County DA's Office Public Integrity Unit was established to crackdown on corruption in all levels of government and help restore the public's trust in our elected officials. Acting District Attorney Mike Keane encourages the public to report any suspected violations through the online Public Integrity Complaint Form (https://www4.erie.gov/da/form/public-integrity-complaint-form) or by calling the Erie County District Attorney's Office at 716-858-2424.