WALLKILL, N.Y. — A former financial secretary of the Washington Heights Fire Company in Wallkill has pled guilty to grand larceny charges for embezzling $17,947 from the fire company’s parade fund, Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced.
Lynn T. Simpson, 43, admitted in court on November 1 to stealing the funds while serving as the fire company’s financial secretary and co-chair of its parade committee. The funds were intended for a parade scheduled for September 23, 2023, which had to be canceled just eleven days before the event due to the theft. The parade was expected to feature participation from 35 other fire companies, but the embezzlement left the company without the necessary resources to proceed.
According to an investigation by the New York State Police, Simpson misappropriated the funds over a year-long period, from August 2022 to September 2023, by making 83 unauthorized ATM withdrawals using the fire company’s debit card. Simpson had access to the fire company’s bank accounts due to her position, and she ultimately drained nearly $18,000 from the parade fund account.
As part of her plea agreement, Simpson has agreed to repay the stolen funds in full.
District Attorney Hoovler condemned the actions, stating, “This defendant’s actions in stealing money from a volunteer fire company is reprehensible and unfair not only to the brave men and women who unselfishly serve as firefighters, but also to the community who were robbed of an opportunity to show their appreciation. Volunteer fire departments in Orange County have long stood as a rallying point of community pride.”
The case was investigated by the New York State Police, whose efforts were praised by Hoovler. The District Attorney’s office has pledged to continue prosecuting individuals who steal from volunteer and charitable organizations.