A Kenyan man is facing a lengthy prison sentence in the United States after admitting to stealing more than $400,000 (approximately Ksh.52 million) in taxpayer funds while employed as a state auditor in New York.
Tobias Otieno, 41, a former employee of the New York State Comptroller’s Office, pleaded guilty in a New York court to second-degree grand larceny. Prosecutors revealed that Otieno siphoned $405,843 from the Town of Wallkill in Orange County over a two-year period from 2022 to 2024.
At the time, Otieno had been assigned to review the town’s finances as a state auditor. According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, he used his privileged access to Wallkill’s bank accounts and financial records to secretly transfer funds into personal business accounts under his control.
Authorities described the scheme as “a very highly sophisticated and complex operation,” alleging that Otieno laundered the stolen money through multiple shell companies and other mechanisms to obscure the illicit transactions.
Otieno, who earned approximately $75,000 (around Ksh.9.6 million) annually in his auditor role, has since been dismissed from his position. Under New York state law, he faces a prison term of four to twelve years. Sentencing is scheduled for June.
The case highlights concerns over oversight and accountability in municipal financial management, with prosecutors warning that even highly trusted positions can be exploited if safeguards are not enforced.
