The longtime Alden town clerk pleaded guilty Friday in Erie County Court to tampering with public records.

Dorothy L. Bycina, 72, resigned and admitted stealing $12,403 from the town. She repaid the

full amount when she entered her plea before Erie County Judge Sheila A. DiTullio.

In addition to her duties as town clerk, Bycina acted as registrar of vital statistics. She

was responsible for collecting fees for marriage licenses and birth and death certificates.

From July 1, 2005, through last Oct. 6, she kept the money from numerous transactions that

she failed to record, according to Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III. An audit

by the state comptroller's office pegged the total amount at $12,403, prosecutors said. The

state has not yet released the audit.

"She initially said some of the funds went to purchase coffee and pastries for town

meetings," prosecutor Gary Ertel said. "We don't know where the rest went."

DiTullio noted Bycina has no criminal record, made full restitution and submitted her

resignation and clerk's badge. The judge said she had not decided on a sentence, but will take

those factors into account when Bycina returns to court May 13.

"I indicated to your lawyers I will be fair and I will be thoughtful as far as your

sentence," she told Bycina.

The former town clerk was accompanied in court by her attorneys, John C. Garas and Michael

J. Flaherty Sr. She declined to comment.

Since Bycina was placed on administrative leave in late November, she had been collecting

her salary, which was in the mid- to high-$40,000 range. The deputy town clerk has been

handling her duties since then.

Bycina faces a maximum sentence of 2⅓ to seven years in prison.