7/28/2019 Auburn Police Press Release on investigation of Sally Jo Widmer

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June 26, 2013

Media Release

Re: Auburn Teachers Association Investigation

The Auburn Police Department has concluded the investigation into the embezzlement of over$800,000 in local Auburn Teacher Association funds between January 2006 and November 2012.This time period corresponds to when complete bank records are first available until the death ofthe unions former president and primary theft suspect, Sally Jo Widmer.

During the investigation, the audit of the local unions financial records was reviewed andmultiple former and current union executive board members in place during the above timeperiod were interviewed. No evidence of impropriety on the part of anyone else other than SallyJo Widmer was uncovered. Widmer used the money to pay personal bills and credit cards, to paycharges resulting from the misuse of union credit cards and wrote checks to herself.

Information developed indicates that Widmer was the only person in actual custody and controlof the unions finances. Additionally, Widmer was thought by many to have personal financialresources due primarily to her association to a successful family business, her long careerteaching and the corresponding pension she earned and personal lifestyle and investment choices.Therefore her spending habits were not suspicious to those who knew her. No one at the timethought her lifestyle was being funded with the monies of others, specifically union funds.

The local union officials did not have in place a system of checks and balances to ensure thatactivity such as this did not occur. The union rather acted on the belief that Sally Jo Widmer wasa strong, knowledgeable long time union president who could be trusted. There also is indicationthat Widmer had a strong personality and would successfully discourage anyone who questionedher. New union leadership elected into office in June of 2012 was pivotal in uncovering thiscrime. An audit was sought when they took control of the books and observed impropriety andreported the results to the police. The oversight of checks and balances previously lacking havereportedly been implemented at The Auburn Teachers Association.

Any follow up questions please direct to Detective Bureau Supervisor Capt David DelFavero at315-255-4705

Prepared by:Det Jeffery D. Mead / 315-255-4702jmead@auburnpolice.net

46 North Street. Auburn, New York 13021-3699. (315) 255-4705. Fax (315) 255-4709

7/28/2019 Auburn Police Press Release on investigation of Sally Jo Widmer

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46 North Street. Auburn, New York 13021-3699. (315) 255-4705. Fax (315) 255-4709