Former New Haven City Employee Sentenced To Federal Prison For Embezzling $100K

Hamden resident Daniel Lion, 65, was sentenced to nine months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for embezzling more than $100,000 from the City of New Haven. Lion was also fined $7,500 and ordered to perform 300 hours of community service during his three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney John Durham noted that New Haven had a policy where employees can be paid in advance if they are about to take approved vacation leave.

Lion, who worked for the city in the accounting department for more than four decades, had access to the city’s payroll system.

Between 2002 and June 2018, Lion periodically accessed the city’s financial accounting software to issue vacation paychecks to himself.  He then deleted the computer entries for the checks, which caused the payroll system to issue his regular paycheck, as well.  Through this scheme, Lion stole $102,947.44 from the City of New Haven.

Lion retired from the City of New Haven in March this year.

Durham noted that Lion must also pay full restitution. He remains released on a bond and is required to report to prison on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

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