Lincoln Town Clerk Arrested for Misappropriation of $69K of Town Funds

Lincoln Town Clerk Arrested for Misappropriation of $69K of Town Funds

Rhode Island State Police announced Tuesday the arrest of Monique Clauson, the Town and Municipal Court Clerk in Lincoln.

The State Police allege that Clauson diverted approximately $69,000 of Municipal Court funds between 2011 to 2020 for her own use.

She is age 55, and the State Police charged her with Unlawful Appropriation over $1,000.

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In October 2020, the State Police Financial Crimes Unit was contacted by the Lincoln Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond regarding unexplained shortages in the accounting of Municipal Court fine payments.

Investigation by members of the Financial Crimes Unit revealed that as the Municipal Court Clerk, Clauson had the sole responsibility of collecting traffic court fines levied by the court. 

Clauson was arraigned at State Police Headquarters and released on personal recognizance. Her next court date is scheduled for January 5, 2021 at the 3rd District Court.

Any person convicted of Unlawful Appropriation, under Rhode Island General Law, 11-41-11.1, shall be fined no more than $50,000 or (3) times the value of the money or property appropriated, whichever is greater or imprisoned for not more than (20) years.