{"id":76464,"date":"2026-06-26T12:24:35","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T16:24:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=76464"},"modified":"2026-06-26T13:42:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T17:42:39","slug":"orleans-county-ierlan-pleads-guilty-to-grand-larceny-in-clarendon-historical-society-theft-of-funds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/06\/26\/orleans-county-ierlan-pleads-guilty-to-grand-larceny-in-clarendon-historical-society-theft-of-funds\/","title":{"rendered":"ORLEANS COUNTY\/Ierlan pleads guilty to grand larceny in Clarendon Historical Society theft of funds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Melissa Ierlan walking into Orleans County Court on Friday surrounded by family and<\/em><\/strong> friends<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melissa Ierlan, 59, appeared before Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church on Friday morning and accepted a plea deal in the case of stolen funds at the Clarendon Historical Society over a period of five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ierlan pleaded guilty to grand larceny 4th degree, a class E felony\/ stolen property exceeds $1,000. When she is sentenced on August 26th, she could face up to 364 days in jail, up to 5 years of probation, a conditional discharge, paying restitution of $62,000(amount may be subject to a hearing before sentencing), and an order of protection will be issued at sentencing for a witness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the felony complaint, between December 16, 2020, and September 27, 2025, Ierlan, acting as President and Financial Controller of the Clarendon Historical Society, stole more than $50,000 in Society funds which was used for personal gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to DA Susan Howard, the amount of $62,000 in restitution was negotiated with the NYS Comptroller’s office as they initially asked for restitution of $70,000. Judge Church then questioned whether the victim in the case, the Clarendon Historical Society, was okay with the restitution amount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DA Howard responded that the Clarendon Historical Society is in the process of reorganizing and currently there isn’t a Clarendon Historical Society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Clarendon Historical Society installed interim officers at the end of April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previously:ORLEANS COUNTY\/Clarendon Historical Society moves forward after meeting on Wednesday evening \u2013 Video News Service<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Judge Church requested to see documentation in regard to restitution and stated there may need to be a hearing before sentencing on the amount of restitution to be paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The additional charge of falsifying meeting minutes in 2023 was dropped. In the felony complaint, Ierlan allegedly falsified meeting minutes in order to collect a $102,752 life insurance policy from a deceased community member, part of which was allegedly used for personal gain. The larceny amount was calculated as a result of a forensic audit conducted by the Office of the State Comptroller. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In court on Friday morning, Judge Church asked Ierlan, “Did you steal money form the Clarendon Historical Society?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ierlan responded, yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Judge Church then asked, “How much did you steal? ” And then rephrased his question, “What action did you take to steal money?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ierlan responded, “I withdrew cash from the bank over 5 years.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Judge Church then asked if she had authority to take the monies from the bank. Ierlan said no.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ierlan was released on her own recognizance as she awaits sentencing on August 26th, 2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previously:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ORLEANS COUNTY\/Clarendon\/Plea deal offered in Ierlan case \u2013 Video News Service<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ORLEANS\/GENESEE\/Building Inspector\/Code Enforcement officer facing felony charges \u2013 Video News Service<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Press release<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Orleans County District Attorney Susan M. Howard and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James today announced that the former president of the Clarendon Historical Society pleaded guilty to a felony for stealing over $62,000 from the non-profit. Melissa M. Ierlan, 59, of Holley, will pay $62,000 in restitution. She also previously held positions as the town historian, the code inspector for the Town of Clarendon and the code enforcer for the towns of Byron and Murray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Clarendon Historical Society, which receives town funding, operates and manages two buildings as a museum, housing local artifacts and displays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIerlan exploited her role in preserving the town\u2019s rich history to instead enrich herself,\u201d DiNapoli<\/strong> said. \u201cAs part of her plea agreement, she now has to return the money she stole. My thanks to D.A. Howard and the New York State Police for their partnership on this case.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe will not tolerate the conduct of those who use their position to steal money meant to enrich the community and the lives of others. It is disreputable for any entrusted individual to take advantage of others, especially in this manner. The State Police will continue to assist the Comptroller\u2019s Office and Orleans County District Attorney\u2019s Office in investigating and apprehending anyone willing to engage in dishonest acts,\u201d James<\/strong> said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A joint investigation by DiNapoli\u2019s office and the New York State Police determined that Ierlan, who had been president and financial controller from 2020-2025, had unchecked control of the society\u2019s accounts, which enabled her to embezzle more than $62,000 from July 2020 to September 2025. Ierlan made numerous personal purchases and payments with the society\u2019s debit card and checkbook, withdrew thousands of dollars in cash in person at the bank branch and at the ATM. She also made payments to her personal credit card with society funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ierlan also fraudulently reimbursed herself for the purchase of a fiberglass ox statue for the \u201cOxen of Orleans\u201d Public Art Project. Ierlan purchased the ox with her own personal funds and was reimbursed by the Town of Clarendon with federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. She then issued herself a second reimbursement with society funds. Ierlan also used society funds to purchase a shipping container for personal use, deposited society donations into her personal bank account, and transferred society funds to a deceased relative\u2019s estate account of which she was the executor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ierlan pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree before Judge Sanford Church in Orleans County Court. Her sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 26.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Melissa Ierlan walking into Orleans County Court on Friday surrounded by family and friends Melissa Ierlan, 59, appeared before Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church on Friday morning and accepted a plea deal in the case of stolen funds at the Clarendon Historical Society over a period of five years. \u2026<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":76472,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[83],"tags":[5787,5640,196],"class_list":["post-76464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-clarendon","tag-clarendon-historical-society","tag-melissa-ierlan","tag-plea-deal"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-jTi","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":72748,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/02\/25\/orleans-county-clarendon-plea-deal-offered-in-ierlan-case\/","url_meta":{"origin":76464,"position":0},"title":"ORLEANS COUNTY\/Clarendon\/Plea deal offered in Ierlan case","author":"aka","date":"February 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Ierlan arriving at the Orleans County Court facility on Wednesday morning\/VNS photo A long time Code Enforcement\/Building Inspector for the Town of Clarendon and the Town of Byron appeared in court today in Orleans County. Melissa Ierlan, 59, of Holley, NY was charged with grand larceny 2nd degree\/property value exceeds\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Clarendon"","block_context":{"text":"Clarendon","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/clarendon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/snapshot_002-4.jpg?fit=810%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/snapshot_002-4.jpg?fit=810%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/snapshot_002-4.jpg?fit=810%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/snapshot_002-4.jpg?fit=810%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":79440,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/08\/26\/orleans-county-ierlan-sentenced-to-weekends-in-jail-and-5-years-probation-in-clarendon-historical-society-theft-of-funds\/","url_meta":{"origin":76464,"position":1},"title":"ORLEANS COUNTY\/Ierlan sentenced to weekends in jail and 5 years probation in Clarendon Historical Society theft of funds","author":"aka","date":"August 26, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Melissa Ierlan,60, appeared before Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church on Wednesday morning for sentencing. Ierlan was sentenced to four months of weekends in the Orleans County Jail, beginning this weekend, and five years probation. She will pay restitution in the amount of $62,000 to the Clarendon Historical Society. 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According to the felony complaint,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Clarendon"","block_context":{"text":"Clarendon","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/clarendon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/annunce-results.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/annunce-results.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/annunce-results.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/annunce-results.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/annunce-results.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":71129,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/12\/31\/orleans-genesee-building-inspector-code-enforcement-officer-facing-felony-charges\/","url_meta":{"origin":76464,"position":3},"title":"ORLEANS\/GENESEE\/Building Inspector\/Code Enforcement officer facing felony charges","author":"aka","date":"December 31, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"File photo-Melissa Ierlan at a March 2025 Town of Byron Town Board meeting. 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