Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 54-year-old Joanne Erickson of Hamburg has been sentenced by Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to three months of intermittent incarceration followed by five years of probation.

The defendant, while employed as a recreation attendant, stole a total of $156,374 from the Village of Hamburg between August 2011 and November 2017. The defendant pocketed cash payments that were intended for a children’s summer program, an after-school program, and recreation hall rental fees. She also admitted to altering cash reports, which were submitted to the village and the recreation center supervisor.

After conducting an audit, the New York State Comptroller’s Office discovered the theft and brought the matter to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.

Last October, Erickson pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class “C” felony, one count of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a Class “E” felony, and one count of Official Misconduct, a Class “A” misdemeanor. The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest charge.

Prior to her sentencing, Erickson’s defense attorney provided a check to the Village of Hamburg in the full amount of criminal restitution.

“Over the course of six years, this defendant embezzled money that should have been used to support programs for children in her community,” said Erie County District Attorney John Flynn. “My office will continue to prosecute those who steal from taxpayers. I hope that the public feels justice has been served by Ms. Erickson pleading guilty to felony charges and paying back all of the money she stole from the Village of Hamburg. I want to thank the New York State Comptroller’s Office for their help in this investigation.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gary M. Ertel of the DA’s Public Integrity Unit.