Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 46-year-old Cynthia L. Matla of Hamburg pleaded guilty this morning before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller to one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony) and one count of Criminal Tax Fraud in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felony).
Between January 1, 2019 and August 29, 2022, the defendant stole more than $168,000 from the Southtowns Regional Chamber of Commerce. The defendant, while working as a bookkeeper, issued checks to herself and used the organization’s debit card to purchase personal items. The theft was uncovered after the organization’s bank account was overdrawn. In addition, the defendant failed to report accurate income as part of her New York State tax return.
As part of the plea, the defendant paid full restitution of $178,682.96 to the Southtowns Regional Chamber of Commerce and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
Matla faces a maximum of 7 years in prison when she is sentenced on Monday, August 14, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. She was released on her own recognizance.
“I hope that the victim feels that justice has been served not only by this defendant pleading guilty for the crime, but that they have been made whole by her paying full restitution today,” said Erie County DA John Flynn.
“Our entire organization is grateful for the accountability and justice being upheld against the crimes and atrocities committed against our organization and the communities we serve at large,” said Jamie L. Decker, Executive Director of the Southtowns Regional Chamber of Commerce.
DA Flynn commends Detective John Wright of the Town of Hamburg Police Department for his assistance in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Gary M. Ertel of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Unit.
