A former Connecticut educator will have her pension payments reduced after being convicted of stealing more than $38,000 in tuition payments from a before-and after-school child care program where she served as director.
A Hartford Superior Court judge ordered the reduction in municipal payments for Catherine Finkle, who was convicted in 2021 of defrauding the town of East Haven’s child care program, according to a release from state Attorney General William Tong Tuesday.
Finkle reportedly diverted more than $30,000 of tuition and cash payments for the program to her own bank account as director of the Little Jackets child care program in East Haven from January 2011 to November 2018, Tong said. Discovery of the missing tuition payments reportedly led to her dismissal and a grievance contesting her termination was unsuccessful, Tong said.
In addition, Finkle reportedly filed for unemployment benefits, which the Board of Education contested, causing the town to lose an additional $52,000 in legal fees, the attorney general said.
“Catherine Finkle stole thousands of dollars intended for the education and care of East Haven kids. When she was caught, her inability to accept her termination and resulting loss of benefits cost the town tens of thousands of dollars more in legal fees. She was convicted on federal criminal charges and forced to repay the town all that she stole. This decision ensures that taxpayers will be made whole for the full cost of Finkle’s misdeeds,” Tong said. “State law requires that my office take action to revoke or reduce the pension of state or municipal officials convicted of corruption-related charges. Those who abuse their positions for personal gain must be held accountable.”
A 2008 law requires the attorney general to seek a reduction or revocation of a state or municipal pension for any official or employee who is convicted in federal court of a crime related to their office. Tong reportedly filed such suit in 2021 and a decision was issued Aug. 28.
Judge Amir Shaikh reduced Finkle’s pension by $500 per month for eight years and nine months, Tong said — the time required for the town to recoup the town’s legal fees. Following that time, she will again receive her full pension amount.
Finkle has also paid the town $38,544 in restitution as part of her criminal case, Tong said. She was also ordered to pay a $20,000 fine, perform 50 hours of community service and serve three to five years of probation. She spent the first six months in home confinement, Tong said.
