Jonnell Rose pled guilty to stealing over $300,000 from Vernon Center Fire Department while serving as its treasurer, according to a statement from the state comptroller’s office.
Rose, of Vernon, pled guilty to second-degree grand larceny for stealing $309,000 of department funds over a six-year period, the statement said.
He is to be sentenced in Oneida County Court on Oct. 28.
“This crime is particularly disturbing because of the victims that were targeted, the community and the fine men and women who selflessly give their time and talent as volunteer firefighters,” said Oneida County District Attorney Todd Carville, in a statement
Evidence showed that Rose abused his role as an officer of the fire department over the course of the sustained crime to deposit checks written to the department, as well as checks written from the department account to vendors, into his personal account. He also wrote department checks to cash and personally cashed them, the comptroller’s office said.
A forensic examination revealed that the stolen funds were used for purchase of cryptocurrency, payments to Rose’s personal credit cards, and cash withdrawals.
Rose’s arrest resulted from a joint investigation by the office of New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and the New York State Police.
“This guilty plea demonstrates the vital collaborative work of our law enforcement partners focused on the same goal; holding those who break our laws, accountable,” said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James, in a statement. “Mr. Rose took advantage of a position he was entrusted in, and stole funds intended to support the Vernon Center Fire Department and the community it serves.”
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Former Vernon Center Fire Department treasurer pleads guilty to stealing $309K
Reporting by Cara Dolan Berry, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
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