BROOKFIELD — The town’s newly-elected First Selectman Bill Tinsley issued a statement late Tuesday on the plea he entered that morning in Vermont court on petit larceny and embezzlement charges.
“The charges in Vermont resulted from a wrongful accusation by a former employer,” the statement read in part. “My accuser is an angry man and while I may be the target of his anger, I am not the source of it.”
Tinsley, 62, entered a no-contest plea to the misdemeanor larceny charge and prosecutors in Vermont dismissed the felony embezzlement charge also filed against him after the owner of Brewfest Beverage in Ludlow, Vt., accused Tinsley, who worked there part time, with stealing from the business’ daily receipts in April 2012.
Tinsley, a Republican, won the top seat in town government by a narrow margin over Democrat Howard Lasser earlier this month.
On Tuesday, he received an 11-month deferred sentence and was ordered to pay $900 in restitution and donate $500 to the Rutland County Peer Run Warm-Line, according to the Windsor County, Vt., Court Clerk’s office.
Tinsley is expected to take the oath of office Dec. 1, and he would officially become first selectman during his first meeting the next evening, said Flynn, who won a selectman’s seat with Tinsley in this year’s election.
See Tinsley’s full statement below:
Statement from Bill Tinsley re: Vermont Charges
Today, I attended a hearing in Vermont State court, stemming from charges filed against me there almost two years ago. The charges in Vermont resulted from a wrongful accusation by a former employer. His recent statements to our local press make the claim that the evidence against me was “irrefutable”. However, under sworn deposition, his claim was debunked and exposed as a mischaracterization of fact. My accuser is an angry man and while I may be the target of his anger, I am not the source of it.
During the last 21 months, I have worked aggressively to clear my name, and had anticipated that this matter would have long ago been concluded. During all of this time, I have stated my innocence of the charges, and continue to do so. Unfortunately, while a speedy resolution was at the top of my priority list, it was not a priority for Vermont officials.
Today, as First Selectman-elect of Brookfield, it was important to put this legal issue behind me. The potential of a lengthy and costly trial was not an acceptable option. So, today, in an agreement with the Vermont State Attorney, and accepted by the presiding judge, this case was finalized. I entered a “no contest” plea to a misdemeanor charge. The “no contest” plea allows me to maintain my assertion of innocence – and I do. The case file will be expunged in eleven months.
Over the past twenty years, I have served the people of Brookfield on the Board of Education, Board of Finance, and in many other volunteer roles. I am proud of my record of service to the town. I now look forward to serving as First Selectman –to help our community achieve its great potential.
William N. (Bill) Tinsley
First Selectman – elect, Brookfield