Hamburg’s former finance director approved her own credit card purchases, and spent about $2,000 on improper purchases with a town credit card, according to a state audit.
The Erie County District Attorney’s Office said that Samantha Tarczynski, 33, of Hamburg, used the credit card to buy personal items.
Other department heads also approved their own credit card purchases, according to the audit, and department heads were allowed to review and approve their own time records without oversight.
“Allowing individuals to authorize their own credit card purchases and approve their own credit card statements for payment increases the risk of improper credit card usage,” the audit said.
The audit by the office of Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli was released about two years after Samantha Tarczynski was fired as finance director and one year after she pleaded guilty in Hamburg Town Court to disorderly conduct for misusing the credit card. She was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service and pay a $275 fine. She also paid full restitution.
Prosecutors said that between May 17, 2019, and Oct. 24, 2020, Tarczynski knowingly misused a Town of Hamburg credit card to buy personal items.
The town launched an investigation after someone brought Finance…
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