The former president of the Clarendon Historical Society has pleaded guilty to a felony after admitting to stealing more than $62,000 from the nonprofit organization over five years.
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Orleans County District Attorney Susan M. Howard, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced that 59-year-old Melissa Ierlan of Holley pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny in Orleans County Court before Judge Sanford Church.
As part of her plea agreement, Ierlan will repay the full $62,000 in restitution. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 26.
According to investigators, Ierlan served as president and financial controller of the Clarendon Historical Society from 2020 through 2025. The nonprofit, which receives funding from the Town of Clarendon, operates two museum buildings that preserve local history and artifacts.
A joint investigation by the State Comptroller’s Office and New York State Police found that Ierlan had unchecked control over the organization’s finances, allowing her to embezzle more than $62,000 between July 2020 and September 2025.
Authorities said Ierlan used the society’s debit card and checkbook to make numerous personal purchases and payments, withdrew thousands of dollars in cash from bank branches and ATMs, and used nonprofit funds to pay her personal credit card bills.
Investigators also allege Ierlan fraudulently reimbursed herself for the purchase of a fiberglass ox statue for the “Oxen of Orleans” public art project. After buying the statue with personal funds and receiving reimbursement from the Town of Clarendon using federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, she allegedly issued herself a second reimbursement using Historical Society funds.
The investigation further found that Ierlan used society funds to purchase a shipping container for personal use, deposited donations intended for the Historical Society into her personal bank account, and transferred society funds into the estate account of a deceased relative for which she served as executor.
In addition to her role with the Historical Society, Ierlan previously served as the Town of Clarendon historian and code inspector, as well as code enforcement officer for the towns of Byron and Murray.
State Comptroller DiNapoli said Ierlan “exploited her role in preserving the town’s rich history to instead enrich herself,” adding that the restitution agreement will ensure the stolen money is returned.
State Police Superintendent James said law enforcement will continue working with the Comptroller’s Office and local prosecutors to investigate and prosecute those who misuse positions of public trust.
