N.Y. FD under state investigation for alleged misuse of over $585K

By Leila Merrill
FireRescue1

NORTH AMITYVILLE, N.Y.  — The New York State Comptroller's Office is investigating the North Amityville Fire Department for misuse of funds, WABC reported Thursday.

An audit of the fire department's disbursements determined that $585,792 was spent on diamond rings, Christmas presents, a board member's Alaskan cruise vacation, professional basketball tickets, and a clothing-optional resort in Jamaica, among other items.

According to the report, out of the $3.6 million in disbursements made between 2017 and 2018, the following items were deemed inappropriate purchases:

• $106,542 in unsupported cash disbursements were made to six board members and the chief;

• $44,820 for domestic flights and lodging in cities such as Dallas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Las Vegas; and Nashville, Tennessee;

• $32,093 for service and maintenance to vehicles the company did not own or could not provide support for;

• $11,258 for Christmas gifts that included, but were not limited to, clothing, drones, video games and gift cards;

• $10,853 for one board member's Alaskan cruise vacation and the chief's vacation to a clothing-optional resort in Jamaica with his spouse, who was secretary to the board;

• $7,239 for alcohol;

• $5,121 for 14-karat gold and diamond rings for the chief and his spouse;

• $2,728 for optical services; and

• $1,998 for professional basketball tickets.