Pays $17,000 in restitution; pension revoked
Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Joyce Tager, age 54, with a last known address of 526 Putnam Pike, Smithfield, pled nolo contendere yesterday before Superior Court Justice Jeffrey A. Lanphear to one count of wrongful conversion by a state or municipal employee. Tager was sentenced to three years, with six months to serve in home confinement and the remainder suspended with probation. In accordance with the plea agreement, Tager paid full restitution at the time of her plea of $17,000, of which $10,822.27 was paid from her pension fund. In addition, she agreed to have her pension benefits revoked.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Tager, while employed as a clerk for the city of Central Falls, embezzled approximately $17,000. Tager received the money from the Municipal Court Clerk, destroyed the records of the transfer and converted the cash to her own use.
"Public corruption can happen at all levels of government, and will not be tolerated by my office," said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. "What makes this act more egregious is the financial strain the City of Central Falls was operating under at the time Ms. Tager lined her pockets with thousands of dollars that could have been put towards critical city services."
Rhode Island State Police Sergeant Joseph DuBeau and Trooper Mark Alboum led the investigation and Special Assistant Attorney General Emily Maranjian prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.