Woman arrested in payroll check scheme

LANCASTER, N.Y. (WIVB) - A NORAMPAC employee has been accused of issuing herself payroll checks then depositing them into her bank account.

Erie County Sheriff's deputies arrested 46-year-old Lynn Montgomery of Alden last month and charged her with embezzling around $300,000 from the Lancaster division of NORAMPAC on Walden Avenue. She is due back in court on Monday.

Authorities say since early 2005, Montgomery, who worked as the Human Resources Director and Payroll Clerk since 2001, issued payroll checks for employees who were out on disability or were recently fired. She would then forge the employees' signatures and deposit the checks into her own bank account.

The sheriff's office and bank officials continue to investigate, and pending the outcome, additional charges may be filed.