Over $131,000: Former Kingston finance director pleads guilty to overpaying herself

June 5, 2026 - 22:44

Carolyn Brewer, the former finance director for the city of Kingston, has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $131,000 in unearned salary and benefits. As part of her plea agreement, she will serve three years of probation rather than face prison time.

Brewer, who oversaw the city's financial operations, admitted to authorizing excessive payments to herself over a period of several years. According to court documents, she manipulated payroll records to inflate her own compensation, including salary overpayments and fraudulent benefits. The scheme went undetected until a routine audit flagged discrepancies in the city's financial accounts.

The guilty plea comes after months of investigation by local authorities. Brewer was initially charged with multiple counts of theft and fraud, but the charges were consolidated in exchange for her admission of guilt. In addition to the probation term, she has been ordered to pay full restitution to the city of Kingston.

City officials have expressed relief that the case has been resolved, though they noted the financial impact on the community. The stolen funds represent a significant loss for a municipality of Kingston's size, and the city has since implemented stricter internal controls to prevent similar incidents in the future. Brewer's sentencing is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.