Hamden Man Embezzled More Than $100K: Feds

NEW HAVEN, CT — A former City of New Haven employee has been sentenced to three years in prison for embezzling more than $100,000 from the city, according to a statement from John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Daniel Lion, 65, of Hamden, will also serve three years of supervised release, pay a $7500 fine, and perform more than 300 hours of community service.

Lion was employed by the City of New Haven for approximately 40 years, most recently in the city’s accounting department, according to the statement. New Haven had a policy where employees can be paid in advance if they are about to take approved vacation leave. As part of his employment, Lion had access to the city’s payroll system.

From approximately 2002 to June 2018, Lion periodically accessed the city’s financial accounting software to issue vacation paychecks to himself, according to the statement. He then deleted the computer entries for the checks, which caused the payroll system to issue his regular paycheck, as well. Through this scheme, Lion stole $102,947.44 from the City of New Haven.

Lion has been ordered by the court to make full restitution. In May he pleaded guilty to one count of wire bond.

He is currently free on bond and will report to prison Dec. 4.