NY Volunteer Fire Company Investigated Over Unaccounted for Funds

Posted by: Curt Varone October 6, 2015 2 Comments

New York state officials have launched an investigation into a volunteer fire department amidst concerns that millions of dollars are unaccounted for.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli confirmed that his office is investigating the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department.

The department reportedly receives $2 million per year from the Town of Carmel. Lohud.com is reporting that Carmel town supervisor Kenneth Schmidt said the missing amount may be as much as $5 million. He also confirmed that the state police were investigating as well.

Schmidt, who is a life member of the department, was quoted as saying “I’m mortified by what I’m hearing. I’m a member of the department and you don’t do something like this against your brotherhood and the taxpayers of our town.”

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
© Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved. | FireLawBlog.com & Curt Varone | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
x

Check Also

California Fire District Settles Gender Discrimination Suit With Volunteer for $535K

The Graton Fire Protection District has agreed to settle the gender discrimination claims of a former female firefighter for $535,000. Sapphire Alvarez filed suit claiming she was passed over for promotion, ostracized by her colleagues and unfairly targeted for discipline.

NY Chief Challenges Removal

The fire chief of the Wading River Fire District who was removed by the district’s Board of Fire Commissioners last November, has filed suit alleging a violation of his statutory and constitutional due process rights. Fire Chief Kevin Berg was initially suspended and then removed as fire chief, all without notice of the reason for these actions, or an opportunity to respond.