Amid Allegations of 'Crystal Clear' Embezzlement, Tinsley Maintains Innocence [Updated]

By Gary Jeanfaivre and Aaron Boyd

[Editor's note: This article has been updated to include comments from Bill Tinsley, the store owner he allegedly stole from, and the investigating officer in Vermont.]

Brookfield's new first selectman will be appearing in court later this month on criminal charges of larceny and embezzlement that were filed by his former Vermont employer.

Bill Tinsley — who narrowly defeated Democratic challenger Howard Lasser on Tuesday — was charged in April 2012 with felony embezzlement and misdemeanor petit larceny for allegedly stealing money from a liquor store that he was working at in Ludlow, Vt.
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Tinsley could also face ethics charges in Broofield.
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VT Store Owner Has Video Evidence

Brewfest Beverage Co. owner Mike Bailey told Patch Friday that Tinsley was hired to close the store at night but was fired just three months in after video footage showed he was embezzling money. [Bailey declined to release the footage at this time.]

According to Bailey, the video shows that over a two-week period, when customers paid with cash Tinsley would sometimes ring their purchase up normally, then go in, delete the invoice and pocket the cash.

There were no records of the sales, however, “There was a lot of shrinkage,” Bailey said, as inventory dropped without matching revenues.

After looking into the losses, Bailey fired Tinsley and filed charges in April 2012 for one count of embezzlement and two counts of petit larceny.

In all, Tinsley was accused of stealing a little more than $500.

Tinsley: Charges are 'False and Frivolous'

Reached by phone Friday, Tinsley categorically denied the accusations, calling the charges “false and frivolous.”

“It did not happen,” he said, stating that the video evidence does not show any proof of theft. “A misunderstanding with a temporary employer resulted in his claim of theft against me,” adding that the “claim was not investigated by police.”

Tinsley’s assertion that Bailey’s claim was not investigated by police is “completely false,” according to investigating officer Sgt. Richard King of the Ludlow Police Department.

Police Officer Sheds Light on Investigation

King said Friday that the department did a full investigation, including “gathering numerous documents” and reviewing the videotape, which is “crystal clear.”

“One segment shows [Tinsley] clearly — directly face-on — reaching into the deposit bag and placing money in his pocket,” King said.

King said the department took Bailey’s statement in March 2012 and, following their investigation, Tinsley was arraigned in April. He was charged with misdemeanor larceny and felony embezzlement.

"The amount doesn't matter for embezzlement," King explained of the felony charge. "If you work for a company and take money from that company, that's a felony."

Why Is This Coming Out Now?

Bailey said he had no idea Tinsley was running for elected office in Connecticut and was only made aware on Tuesday by the Vermont Victim Advocate.

“Had I known earlier, I would have revealed this earlier,” he said Friday.

Tinsley Will Plead 'No Contest'

In a statement released Friday, Tinsley reported that he “entered a ‘not guilty’ plea” for all charges; however, he will be entering a new plea in an upcoming hearing on Nov. 26.

Tinsley will be changing his plea to ‘no contest’ to petit larceny and the embezzlement charge will reportedly be dropped.

“I chose the ‘no contest’ option to avoid the continued high cost of attorney’s fees,” Tinsley said in his statement. “During the last 18 months, I have worked to aggressively seek resolution to this matter and had anticipated that it would have been long resolved and expunged.”

Tinsley added that he expects his record to be expunged after the Nov. 26 hearing.

“Obviously, this situation is an embarrassment, but that is all it is,” he said. “The settlement will not affect or impede my ability to serve as Brookfield’s First Selectman.”

Calls for Tinsley to Step Down

Some residents feel differently, and a few are calling for Tinsley's resignation.

In a comment on this article, Kurt Randall writes:

"As a Brookfield resident and taxpayer I think Mr. Tinsley looses all his credibility and should step down. If the RTC new of this and were hiding this from us as a community sickens me even more so much for community. Doesn't matter of the amount $500.00 or $5,000.00 STEALING IS STEALING wish I could go back and change my vote now. Step down with some pride"