Tobias Otieno, age 41, of Hyde Park, pleaded guilty Tuesday, Feb. 17, to second-degree grand larceny as a public corruption crime, Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced.
As previously reported by Daily Voice, Otieno was charged with stealing $405,843.25 between June 2022 and September 2024 while working as an Auditor 1 for the New York State Office of the State Comptroller. He had been assigned to review the Town of Wallkill’s financial operations, including payroll and disbursements.
The investigation into the theft found no wrongdoing by any officials or employees of the Town of Wallkill. Town officials promptly reported the fraud to their financial institution, and the bank reimbursed the town for the stolen funds, according to prosecutors.
As part of the investigation, authorities executed a search warrant at Otieno’s Hyde Park residence on July 10, 2025, authorities said.
Otieno was immediately suspended upon discovery of the misconduct and later terminated from his position with the Comptroller’s Office.
During his plea, Otieno admitted that he used his position and access to town bank accounts to transfer around $405,843.25 in town funds into his personal business accounts.
Under the plea agreement placed on the record, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of four to 12 years in state prison when Otieno is sentenced on June 1, according to the DA’s Office.
This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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