On November 2, 2023, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced a former treasurer of the Morley Volunteer Fire Co., Cindi Perkins, pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree for stealing over $16,000 from the company over a three-year period.
DiNapoli said “Ms. Perkins was entrusted with money meant to protect her community. Instead, she betrayed the fire company and her neighbors by enriching herself.” Noting that combating fraud and protecting taxpayer money is a priority of his, the Comptroller thanked "St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary Pasqua and the New York State Police for partnering with [his] office to bring her to justice.”
Perkins, who worked for the fire company from 2016 to 2019, made unauthorized cash withdrawals, failed to deposit fire company funds, made unauthorized purchases, and wrote unauthorized checks to herself. The monies were a combination of payments from the Town of Canton and the Morley Fire District, as well as fundraising dollars.
Investigators found the 58-year-old Perkins, who controlled all aspects of the fire company’s finances, made more than $16,000 in personal cash deposits soon after similar cash amounts were paid to the Morley Volunteer Fire Co.
Bank records also showed ATM withdraws made from the Morley Volunteer Fire Company accounts at the Del Lago Resort and Casino and the Turning Stone Resort Casino.
Perkins used the stolen money for personal purchases including groceries, makeup, and other retail consumer items, investigators found.
Perkins, of Canton, pleaded guilty in St. Lawrence County Court. She is due back in court for sentencing on Jan. 3, 2024.
In another case of alleged "Jobbery" -- Mirriam-Webster defines jobbery as "the improper use of public office or conduct of public business for private gain" -- State Comptroller DiNapoli, Steuben County District Attorney Baker and the New York State Police announced the arrest of a former Village of Addison official for an alleged theft of more than $1.1 million. Click HERE for details.
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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 calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by filing a complaint online at https://www.osc.state.ny.us/investigations, or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.