Former selectman's assistant charged with first-degree larceny

KENT — Tina Agard, former assistant to the Kent selectmen and the town treasurer, has been charged with first-degree larceny by the state police for allegedly using a town credit card for personal use.

Agard is scheduled to appear on Monday, May 4, for her arraignment at Bantam Superior Court. She was arrested on Friday, April 17, on the charges and released after she posted a $750 cash bond.

Agard abruptly quit her town office positions in May 2008; the investigation into Agard’s conduct began in June 2008 by state police at Troop L, which is based in Litchfield.

Former Town Treasurer Monty Besmer discovered irregularities in the town’s finances. Besmer reported to the town that he had also received calls about unpaid bills.

In June 2008, First Selectman Ruth Epstein said at a board meeting that there had been misuse of the town’s credit card, and also that payments had been made to the administrative assistant before she had actually started working.

On Friday, April 24, when asked about the case against Agard, Epstein would not comment on the investigation.

“The police report says it all,� she said. “Other than that, I have no comment.�

The arrest warrant for Agard was not available this week at either of the two county courthouses in Bantam and Litchfield; state police would not make it available at Troop L.

Further details will follow in next week’s Lakeville Journal.

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