Putnam Consumer Director Resigns After Guilty Plea

The former Putnam County Director of Consumer Affairs resigned after working out a plea deal with New York’s Attorney General.

In exchange for avoiding jail, Jean Noel pleaded guilty to petit larceny. She additionally agreed to resign from her position, pay restitution, and was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge.

According to the New York Attorney General’s Office, over a period of at least two years, Noel illegally obtained $4,575 in cash payments from contractors intended to satisfy county-issued fines. The fines included payments made by contractors for business operations in Putnam County without an appropriate county-issued license

“Public service should never be about private gain,” said Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman in a press release. “When public officials abuse their position for financial gain, there will be consequences. Since 2011, my office has successfully prosecuted dozens of officials and their cronies from both political parties and we will continue to fight to clean up state and local government.”

Noel has repaid $4,300 and owes another $275 to fully satisfy restitution. She will also pay back a portion of her salary.