An Auburn native stole almost $1 million from a Central New York fire department over roughly an eight-year period. That’s according to an audit released on Friday by the State Comptroller’s Office of the Hannibal Fire Department.
Weeks prior to his passing in May of 2022, George Parry was suspended after he admitted he used a department credit card for his own benefit. The audit found Parry used the credit card to make 794 personal cash advances totaling approximately $334,900 and personal purchases totaling over $62,300 from April 2016 through May 2022. The audit also found Parry disbursed over $451,000 in unauthorized checks to himself from January 2014 through May 2022.
These improper disbursements went unnoticed for years because the Board did not review bills (claims) paid by the former Treasurer, receive written financial reports, or review bank and investment statements and canceled check images. The Board also did not obtain an annual independent audit of Company records, as required.
Parry was a member of the department for sixty years and served as its treasurer for decades.
