A former Marbletown Volunteer Fire Department chief and treasurer has been sentenced for stealing more than $100,000 from the department he once led.
State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Wayne County District Attorney Christine Callanan, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven James announced that William Storrs was sentenced to four months of weekends in the Wayne County Jail and five years of probation. He was also ordered to pay $101,394.50 in restitution.
Investigators found that between January 2020 and July 2024, Storrs used his position as treasurer and later as chief to make personal purchases with department debit cards, transfer funds from fire department accounts into his own, pay his wife’s credit card bills, and buy items from various retailers. The theft was uncovered when a department debit card was declined due to a lack of funds, prompting members to alert the State Police.
“William Storrs abused the trust of the community he was sworn to serve and protect by stealing over $100,000 in fire department funds for his own profit,” DiNapoli said. “Thanks to our partnership with the New York State Police and District Attorney Callanan, he has been held accountable for his crimes, and the money he stole will be recovered.”
DA Callanan called the theft a “serious breach of duty,” adding that the case should serve as a warning to anyone who abuses their position for personal gain.
Superintendent James said Storrs “had no regard for the department or community and knowingly took advantage of a position he was entrusted with and promised to uphold.”
The case was investigated jointly by the Comptroller’s Office and the New York State Police, and prosecuted by the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office. Storrs was sentenced before Judge Richard M. Healy in Wayne County Court.
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