By FireRescue1 Staff
WEST GHENT, N.Y. — A former fire department treasurer has been accused of embezzling over $55,000.
WNYT reported that Gail Cesternino was married to the chief of the West Ghent Volunteer Fire Company when she allegedly stole the money.
“Any dollar stolen of public funds is appalling,” deputy state comptroller Nelson Sheingold said. “Those numbers are simply unacceptable. This should be a wake-up call to not only fire departments, but to all places handling public money.”
Cesternino is accused of withdrawing money and issuing herself checks, along with making charges on the fire company’s credit card.
Cesternino was charged with grand larceny and 13 counts of falsifying business records.