MERIDEN, Conn. (AP) Meriden's director of health and human services has been arraigned on charges she staged a burglary of her office.

Lisa Pippa was presented in court Thursday, accused of falsely reporting an incident.

Prosecutors say Pippa ransacked her own office on March 9, and tried to implicate another department employee in the break-in.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, police placed a surveillance camera in the office and caught Pippa on videotape planting evidence in the department's mailroom.

Prosecutors say Pippa confessed after being confronted with that video.

City Manager Lawrence Kendzior told The Hartford Courant that Pippa remains on personal medical leave.

A message seeking comment was left Friday for Pippa's attorney, James Miron. He has told the Record-Journal of Meriden that Pippa suffers from a mental illness.