Former Oxford Tax Collector Pleads Guilty

Guilty. That was the plea Karen Guillet entered this morning before Milford Superior Court Judge Richard Arnold.

The 63-year-old stands accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Town of Oxford, where she served as tax collector for 24 years. The charge to which she pleaded guilty is first-degree larceny.

The state attorney's office is recommending that Guillet serve 12 years in prison with a possible suspension after five years served. They are also asking for her to pay restitution to the Town of Oxford in the amount of $242,903.

Guillet stood before Judge Arnold flanked by her husband, Nil Guillet, as several reporters and tax collectors from other towns looked on in anticipation of the plea in this closely watched case. Oxford First Selectman George Temple was also in attendance.

Dominick Thomas, Guillet's attorney, can argue for a lesser punishment when the parties return to court on Oct. 29 for sentencing.

This story was reported by Paul Singley and written by Gary Jeanfaivre.

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