In a press release dated October 12, 2022, set out below, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Allegany County District Attorney Keith Slep and the New York State Police announced the arrests of Ronda (Brundage) Kish and Marion Brundage for allegedly stealing $11,276 from the Oramel Volunteer Fire Department, Belfast, New York.*
Ronda Kish was charged with Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree, Corrupting the Government in the 3rd Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 1st Degree. Marion Brundage was charged with Grand Larceny in the 4thDegree and Corrupting the Government in the 3rd Degree. Kish served as the department’s Treasurer and her former sister-in-law, Brundage was its Secretary and First Assistant Chief. The arrests were the result of a joint investigation between Comptroller DiNapoli’s Office, the Allegany County District Attorney’s Office and the New York State Police.**
“These two officials allegedly used money meant for the protection of their community as their own personal bank account,” DiNapoli said. “My thanks to Allegany County District Attorney Slep and the State Police for partnering with my office to make sure that those who engage in public corruption are found out and brought to justice.”
From 2016 to 2020, Ronda Kish allegedly stole $8,675 from the Oramel Fire Department by making unauthorized cash withdrawals and writing checks to herself for supposed reimbursements that had no receipts or approval from the Department’s Board. Kish used the money to pay personal expenses, including numerous credit card bills.
Kish abruptly quit as Treasurer after the Department’s Board began to ask questions about the money. The Oramel Fire Department bank account was empty when she quit. Local officials brought their concerns to Comptroller DiNapoli’s office and the Allegany County DA.
During the same time period, Marion Brundage allegedly stole $2,601 by writing checks to herself for supposed reimbursements.
Kish and Brundage were arraigned before Judge David Szucs in the Town of Caneadea Court and are scheduled to appear again in court on November 9. 2022.
* N.B. These charges are accusations and the individual is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
** As noted in previous NYPPL reports of such alleged acts of misconduct, there is a term for such breaches of the public trust, "jobbery." Mirriam-Webster defines "jobbery as "the improper use of public office or conduct of public business for private gain".
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Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by filing a complaint online at investigations@osc.ny.gov, by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.