In the public trust

State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has brought charges against former Cape Vincent Town Clerk Jeri A. Mason, alleging that she stole up to $50,000 from the town while serving as clerk in 2009 and 2010.

A grand jury indictment charges her with third-degree grand larceny, defrauding the government and official misconduct.

The indictment alleges that she improperly took money from the town through a “scheme constituting a systematic, ongoing course of conduct with the intent to defraud the state and a political subdivision of the state” through fraudulent means. She is accused of falsely representing the amount of revenue collected for the town and falsely representing the amount of money she collected as part of her duties.

A partial audit of the town’s finances last September found discrepancies. State police brought in the attorney general’s office.

In prosecuting the case, Mr. Schneiderman said, “Anyone who uses their position to steal from taxpayers for their own personal gain will be vigorously prosecuted by my office.”

Ms. Mason, who has pleaded not guilty to each charge, is innocent until proven otherwise.

But by prosecuting such cases, the attorney general sends the correct message — that municipal officeholders are entrusted by the public to perform their duties with the utmost diligence and integrity. What the public expects, the law requires.