Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
Two New York cases are in the news today, both of which raise the same frustrated response: not again!
In Charlton, New York, the treasurer of a volunteer fire department is accused of stealing between $400,000 and $500,000. Virginia DeCapria, 50, who served as treasurer of the Charlton Volunteer Fire Department was charged with grand larceny and several related charges for writing checks totaling nearly a half-million dollars to herself.
DeCapria’s husband Dean served as the Charlton fire chief and she was secretary and treasurer from 2005 until January 2011.
The department’s attorney, Terry Hannigan, was quoted as saying “Since we became aware of this situation, the board has completely revised the procedures that they use to monitor expeditures and purchases.” Incidentally, Terry is a firefighter-lawyer and we did a mock trial together a few years back.
Thus far Chief DeCapria has not been implicated. More on the story.
In Suffolk County, an EMS officer was filmed trying to wrestle a video camera out of the hands of a newsman. Dave Statter is all over this one – but it leaves me wondering – how do we get the word out about this kind of non-sense. The law could not be more clear. We have no right to interfere with people taking photos at incidents scenes. Worry about the incident and forget about the cameras!!!!
