Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 56-year-old Justine Smith of Buffalo has pleaded guilty before State Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, Falsifying Business Records and Offering a False Instrument for Filing. 

Between January of 2011 and October of 2016, Smith, while working as a bookkeeper at the Amherst office of Dr. Samuel Shatkin, stole $500,000 from the practice by falsifying the business financial records. 

Smith who admits she suffers from a compulsive buying disorder now faces up to 15 years in prison when she is sentenced May 17, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. by Justice Burns. 

DA Flynn commends the Amherst Police Department for its thorough investigative work, including Detective Robert Cunningham and Lt. Richard Walters. 

Special Investigations and Prosecutions Chief Candace K. Vogel and Assistant District Attorney Gary M. Ertel are prosecuting the case.