By Donna Snyder
The Buffalo News
LITTLE VALLEY, N.Y. — A Cattaraugus Fire Department firefighter has pleaded guilty in Cattaraugus County Court to stealing up to $30,000 from the department’s bell jar ticket games.
Edward Holtz, 40, of Cattaraugus, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny between 2006 and 2009 in the Town of New Albion. Judge Larry M. Himelein accepted the plea and set sentencing for June 21.
Holtz’s attorney, public defender Mark S. Williams, said Holtz used the money to gamble at the Seneca Allegany Casino and to purchase other bell jar tickets.
A second firefighter, John Finnegan, 52, of Cattaraugus, was arrested last week and faces charges of offering a false instrument for filing and filing false business records in the same scheme.
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