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West Babylon resident Sheila Seward, 58, who worked at Elmont Memorial Library, was arraigned in Nassau County Court and charged with grand larceny, falsifying business records and official misconduct on Wednesday, Nov. 13. If convicted, she faces between five to 15 years in prison.
Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said that Seward was the former administrative assistant for the library, with access to the library’s finances. Beginning in August 2012, it is alleged that Seward began adding extra payments labeled as “other compensation” to her paychecks without permission.
It is alleged that Seward added between $39 and $6,900 to her paychecks, and she “became more emboldened in her theft,” and began increasing the amounts she stole over time. It is alleged that she added money to her paychecks more than 100 times.
Library officials discovered the alleged theft after reviewing financial statements by an outside accounting firm. Seward was caught in September last year, prompting an investigation by Singas’ office.
“This defendant is accused of cooking the books of the Elmont Memorial Library for years, allegedly stealing more than $260,000,” Singas said. “Libraries provide important, educational and social resources to the public, and anyone caught stealing from them will be held to account.”
Singas said that Seward alleged used the money for medical bills and college tuition. She resigned from the library in August last year.
Elmont Memorial Library Board of Trustees President Livingstone Young added, “The Elmont Memorial Library Board of Trustees appreciates the efforts of the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. We have been fully cooperating as their investigation progressed and we will continue to do so until this legal matter has been resolved.”
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