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New York Volunteers Accused of Embezzling Thousands From Department
GEORGE RICHERT
WIVB
Reprinted with Permission
CATTARAUGUS, N.Y. (WIVB) - Two volunteer firefighters are charged in the disappearance of tens of thousands of dollars from the Cattaraugus Fire Department.
They ran the Bell Jar Ticket Game for the Department and now somewhere between $30,000 and $80,000 is missing.
39-year-old Edward Holtz of the village of Cattaraugus pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny for the taking at least $30,000 while running the Bell Jar Ticket Game to raise money for the Cattaraugus Volunteer Fire Department. The Treasurer of that Department, 52-year-old John Finnegan, was arrested last week and charged with offering a false instrument and filing false business records in the same case.
Only Holtz has pleaded guilty so far and he blames it on a gambling problem.
Cattaraugus County District Attorney Lori Rieman said, "I don't know if that's true or not, that's just what he's saying, but it does seem to be getting more common and I'm not sure whether that's the economy or gambling or both, but unfortunately these volunteer organizations, it's hard because you don't know if somebody has a history of that and it's hard to find people that are willing to do it."
John Finnegan is due back in court Tuesday. Edward Holtz will be sentenced June 21st and could get anything from probation to one to three years in jail.
Copyright WIVB.com
WIVB
Reprinted with Permission
CATTARAUGUS, N.Y. (WIVB) - Two volunteer firefighters are charged in the disappearance of tens of thousands of dollars from the Cattaraugus Fire Department.
39-year-old Edward Holtz of the village of Cattaraugus pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny for the taking at least $30,000 while running the Bell Jar Ticket Game to raise money for the Cattaraugus Volunteer Fire Department. The Treasurer of that Department, 52-year-old John Finnegan, was arrested last week and charged with offering a false instrument and filing false business records in the same case.
Only Holtz has pleaded guilty so far and he blames it on a gambling problem.
Cattaraugus County District Attorney Lori Rieman said, "I don't know if that's true or not, that's just what he's saying, but it does seem to be getting more common and I'm not sure whether that's the economy or gambling or both, but unfortunately these volunteer organizations, it's hard because you don't know if somebody has a history of that and it's hard to find people that are willing to do it."
John Finnegan is due back in court Tuesday. Edward Holtz will be sentenced June 21st and could get anything from probation to one to three years in jail.
Copyright WIVB.com
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Brian Mackie on
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Chief. Congratulations! Speaking for myself, and I am sure there are more who share this sentiment, I wish your dept. all the best in the recovery and healing process. I think many officials would simply hide and wait this out, and hope it goes away.. but you sir should be commended for speaking up. Really sorry to hear about your depts. situation. As tough as this is to swallow, I am sure you guys and gals will come out of it better than ever.
Good luck to you!
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Permalink Reply by W on
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It very unfortunate, but this happens more oit is reported. Access to money and extreme trust among firefighters can be a problem. It is very important to have an audit committee, a PIA, but it keeps people honest. When you expose people to money like they have never had or need and they take a little at first and noone realizes it, they do it again and this time it is more money and before you know it it escalates to an incident like this one.
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Permalink Reply by Bill Brierton on
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The ends (his supposed gambling problem) do not justify the means (embezzlement). Good thing I am not the judge cause he certainly would not get probation. At the very least both would have to pay the money back then maybe some jail time maybe the three years if not more.
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