Town of Little Compton’s fiscal clerk arrested for alleged embezzelment

LITTLE COMPTON, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island State Police announced Tuesday that the town of Little Compton’s fiscal clerk was arrested for alleged embezzlement.

According to state police, 31-year-old Rachel Bruno, of Little Compton, was arrested on November 30, and released on $1,000 bail after her arraignment.

Officials said in August of 2023, a town resident discovered that their 2022 tax payment had not been processed. The resident made a cash payment of $1,096.62 to the town collectors office in September, 2022, which was handed to Bruno at that time.

A subsequent review by town officials revealed that the cash payment had not been recorded or deposited into the town’s account.

After an internal investigation, Bruno confessed to town officials that she misappropriated the cash funds. Additionally, it was disclosed that Bruno was also employed as a part-time dispatcher for the Little Compton Police Department.

Bruno is scheduled for a pre-arraignment conference on February 28, 2024.