UPDATE: Woodbury Attorney Charged in Theft of $1.8 Million Earmarked to Oxford

Update, 2:45 p.m.

Peter M. Clark, 57, of Woodbury, was arrested Thursday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with stealing more than $1.8 million from the estate of an Oxford woman who died in 2010.

According to the criminal complaint, Miriam S. Strong of Oxford died on July 2, 2010. At the time of her death, Strong had a will, which left money, property and other items to a list of individuals, the Town of Oxford, the State of Connecticut, and several religious and other charitable entities.

The will also called for the creation of a scholarship fund for college-bound students from Oxford.

Clark drafted the will as Strong’s attorney and served as a witness to Strong’s execution of the will.

The will named Clark and another individual as co-executors. The investigation has revealed that, during the course of the administration of the will, Clark took at least $1.8 million from Strong’s estate for his own use including purchasing a $3,928 all-terrain vehicle, paying his $914 power bill and a $2,000 check to his wife.

The complaint charges Clark with one count of mail fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

Clark was arrested this morning at his residence. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A.L. Merriam in New Haven and will be released after he posts a $500,000 bond that will be co-signed by family members.

Oxford First Selectman George R. Temple said he’s at a “loss of words” over the allegations against Clark.

“He betrayed his client. He betrayed his legal profession. His arrest will not bring the money back but justice will be done,” Temple said.

Temple reiterated his belief that Oxford will receive most of the funds back at a later time through the courts.

“The arrest is a good first step,” Temple said, adding it will likely compel Clark to cooperate with federal authorities.

Temple said there is no doubt the loss of money impacted the town’s ability to purchase open space and has thrown into doubt future plans for a new Oxford Public Library. Temple said he remains committed to the library project.

“I had several sleepless nights over this,” Temple said adding that the money also would have benefited Oxford students who were going to college.

U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut State Police – Western District Major Crime Squad. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.

UPDATE 10:30 a.m. Thursday: U.S. Department of Justice officials confirmed Thursday morning that Peter M. Clark, 57, of Woodbury, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint. He is scheduled to appear at 12:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam in New Haven (courtroom #5).

More details to come.

Original post from April 18

By Brian McCready, Patch Editor

In March, Oxford First Selectman George R. Temple made the sobering announcement that $1.8 million was missing from the estate of deceased resident Miriam Strong.

Oxford was named as a beneficiary of Strong’s estate. Those funds had been earmarked for construction of a library, open space acquisition, and scholarships to benefit Oxford students, officials said at the time.

In an interview last month week, Temple said the criminal investigation is ongoing but he vowed an arrest will be made.

He also said in speaking with investigators, it looks good that Oxford will recoup most if not all of the missing money.

He said the Bar Association has a fund it created for cases such as this one, where an attorney is accused of stealing funds. Temple said the Bar Association would cover most if not all the losses.

In March upon the motion of the town of Oxford in Probate Court, Attorney Peter M. Clark of Woodbury was removed as executor of the Strong Estate, Temple said. He has been replaced by retired Probate Judge Clifford D. Hoyle.

Clark has already resigned as an attorney, Temple said. When charges are officially filed it will be for first-degree larceny, Temple said.

Temple said he’s heard rumors as to what the missing money was spent on, but nothing definitive.

Temple said he’s uncertain what will happen to the Oxford Library in light of the missing funds. The library operates in a 3,000-square-foot space in the downstairs area of Town Hall, and plans called for a new 10,000-square-foot separate space.

Temple said a third of the total funds needed for the library project were supposed to come from Strong’s estate.

Temple said while he is confident Oxford will receive most of the funds back, the future of the library project is still undecided.

He said he is personally committed to seeing a library “built in this town.”

“It’s a very worthy project,” Temple said, adding he’d like to bring the proposal to a town meeting.