Former Employee Arraigned for Stealing More Than $216,000 in Cash from Erie County Clerk's Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 55-year-old Alexander J. McDougall of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Phillip Dabney, Jr. on a felony complaint charging him with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class “C” felony). 

It is alleged that between on or about January 1, 2021 and on or about June 1, 2023, the defendant, while working as a Deputy Clerk in the Registrar’s Division of the Erie County Clerk’s Office in the City of Buffalo, stole a sum of cash in excess of $50,000. The defendant allegedly attempted to conceal the crime by altering cashier reports and submitting fraudulent bank deposit tickets. At this time, the total theft amount is believed to be $216,412.72.

The Erie County DA’s Office became involved in the investigation last summer following an audit by the Erie County Comptroller’s Office. The defendant was suspended in mid-September 2023 then subsequently fired from his position.

McDougall is scheduled to return on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was released on his own recognizance as the charge is a qualifying offense for bail. 

If convicted of the charge, McDougall faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. 

“This defendant is accused of using his position in the Clerk’s Office to steal money from the residents of Erie County. In addition to uncovering this brazen theft, I want to commend the Erie County Comptroller’s Office as well as our partners in the New York State Comptroller’s Office and Erie County Sheriff’s Office for their work in this ongoing investigation. While uncovering financial crimes tends to be an extensive and time-consuming process, I want the public to know that I am committed to obtaining justice and restoring their trust in government,” said Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn  

DA Flynn commends the Erie County Comptroller’s Office, New York State Comptroller’s Office, Erie County Sheriff’s Office and Erie County Clerk’s Office for their work in this ongoing investigation. 

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Gary M. Ertel of the Public Integrity Unit. 

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Erie County DA’s Office Public Integrity Unit was established to crackdown on corruption in all levels of government and help restore the public's trust in our elected officials. District Attorney John Flynn encourages the public to report any suspected violations through the online Public Integrity Complaint Form (https://www4.erie.gov/da/form/public-integrity-complaint-form) or by calling the Erie County District Attorney’s Office at 716-858-2424.