Members of the Cayuga Nation at a community gathering in June 2010. Photo from Ithaca College

A high-ranking employee of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services was arrested on Wednesday after authorities said she stole money from trust accounts belonging to Cayuga Nation minors.

Kim Thomas-Muffoletto, 56, worked as the director of Native American Services. Authorities said she took nearly $25,000 from 15 accounts over seven years.

“The defendant’s alleged actions were an egregious and deplorable abuse of her authority,” Inspector General Leahy Scott said in a press release. “She was entrusted with the safekeeping of funds belonging to children – and she violated that trust so she could pay her own personal expenses. This alleged misconduct was shameful and inexcusable.”

The trust accounts were set up by the state to deposit money owed to members of the Cayuga Nation for treaty obligations.

Get the Story:
Official accused of $24,000 theft from tribal kids (The Albany Times-Union 10/15)
Official charged in theft from tribe minors (The Buffalo News 10/15)
State official accused of stealing $24K from trust funds for Cayuga Nation children (The Syracuse Post-Standard 10/15)
State employee accused of stealing $24,000 from Cayuga Nation children trust funds (The Auburn Citizen 10/15)