New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott announced the former Director of Native American Services at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) pled guilty today to charges she systematically stole money over a seven year period from trust fund accounts held for Cayuga Nation minors which she oversaw as part of her official duties.
“The defendant was charged with taking money that belonged to children,” said Inspector General Scott, “which makes this theft particularly deplorable. Her actions were even more egregiousness by the fact that she was entrusted with safeguarding the very funds she stole. I want to thank Erie County District Attorney Sedita and his staff for the successful prosecution of this case.”
Kim Thomas-Muffoletto, 56, of Getzville pled guilty to Grand Larceny. She had been employed as a Native American Affairs Specialist and the Director of Native American Services for OCFS in that agency’s facilities in Buffalo. Prior to her arrest in October, OCFS suspended Thomas-Muffoletto pending the outcome of Inspector General Scott’s investigation. She resigned from OCFS following her arrest.
Thomas-Muffoletto worked for Native American Services since 1991. Among her duties was administering trust fund accounts for select Cayuga Nation minors, which included moneys paid by the state to Nation members in accordance with treaty obligations. During the relevant period of this investigation, Thomas-Muffoletto was the only person with authority to deposit or withdraw money from 14 accounts.
Thomas-Muffoletto admitted to stealing the funds and using some of the money to pay personal expenses such as insurance and car payments. She also used the money for expenses of family members, including for payment of traffic fines.
Inspector General Scott thanked OCFS for its assistance in the investigation and Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III and his staff for prosecuting this case.
Thomas-Muffoletto pled guilty before the Hon. Michael Pietruszka of Erie County Court. She is scheduled to return to court April 14.
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