Former Treasurer Stole $60K From Carle Place Fire Department: DA

A former treasurer of the Carle Place Fire Department was arrested on Thursday for using his department-issued credit card to spending more than $60,000 for his personal benefit, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced.

William Weingarten, 65, was arraigned on the following charges:

• Second-degree grand larceny
• Two counts of second-degree forgery
• Two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument
• Two counts of first-degree falsifying business records

“These funds – more than $60,000 – were intended for vital fire department services but instead were allegedly pilfered by this defendant and used for frivolous purchases like iTunes and NASCAR,” Singas said in a press release. “Stealing from volunteer fire companies, which do critical life-saving work to protect our communities, is an especially outrageous crime, and we will vigorously prosecute this case.”

According to the DA, Weingarten used his department-issued credit card to make $61,589.37 worth of unauthorized purchases from Jan. 1, 2014 to Sept. 24 of this year. Purchases included iTunes payments, a NASCAR membership, automobile parts, gasoline, electronics and meals at restaurants, the DA said.

Weingarten’s duties as treasurer were to maintain the books, issue checks and make deposits for the department. He served 22 years with the department before resigning as treasurer.

The fire department’s board referred this case to the NCDA on Sept. 21 following an external audit of the department’s finances.

Weingarten was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court Nov. 16. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

Image via NCDA