(WNY News Now) – Buffalo, NY – Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 43-year-old woman formerly of Williamsville was arraigned this morning before Acting Erie County Court Judge Andrew C. LoTempio on an indictment charging her with the following offenses:
- Four counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class “C” felonies)
- Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree (Class “D” felonies)
- One count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony)
- Three counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (Class “E” felonies)
It is alleged that between April 2023 and September 2023, Lisa A. Noble, also known as Lisa Prynn, while working as a business manager for St. Amelia’s Parish in the Town of Tonawanda, stole approximately $465,000 from the church. The defendant is accused of making numerous unauthorized purchases with the church’s debit card, issuing fraudulent checks to herself and stealing cash deposits. The defendant allegedly used the stolen money to pay for concert tickets, travel, lodging and other personal expenses.
On September 15, 2023, Noble was placed on administrative leave shortly after the theft was uncovered. She was terminated from her position the following week after further investigation by St. Amelia Parish and the Diocese of Buffalo Internal Audit Department.
It is further alleged that over course of approximately five years, the defendant stole more than $500,000 while working as an office manager for an audiology practice in the City of Tonawanda. The defendant is accused of stealing the money from the medical practice between 2016 and 2021.
A fugitive warrant was issued after the matter was presented to a Grand Jury. Earlier this month, Noble was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Office in the Raleigh, North Carolina area. After waiving extradition proceedings, she was returned to Western New York last night to face prosecution. This morning, she appeared in Erie County Court where the indictment was unsealed.
“This defendant is accused of brazenly stealing a total of nearly a million dollars from two former employers to fund her extravagant lifestyle then allegedly fled the area in an attempt to evade prosecution. Today, my office successfully argued that the defendant is willful and persistent flight risk and I am pleased to announce that she is being held without bail at this time,” said Erie County DA John Flynn.
If convicted of the highest count, Noble faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.
DA Flynn commends the Diocese of Buffalo, City of Tonawanda Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force for their work in these investigations.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Gary M. Ertel and Assistant District Attorney Robin J. Deubler of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Bureau.
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