Former CAVA executive charged with embezzlement

CANTON — The former executive director of Citizens Against Violent Acts was charged by state police Thursday with third-degree grand larceny and 10 counts of second-degree forgery.

Brenda L. Thornton, 36, West Stockholm, is accused of forging 10 checks from CAVA totaling about $16,000, investigators said.

Malissa A. Hale, 40, Russell, was charged with petit larceny. She is accused of accepting money from Ms. Thornton with knowledge of it being stolen.

The crime is alleged to have occurred from June 2010 to November 2011.

Ms. Thornton has previously served as the executive director of the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce.

Both were arraigned in Canton Village Court and released.