Treasurer Sentenced For Stealing $50K From Carle Place FD: DA

A former treasurer of the Carle Place Fire Department was sentenced to five years' probation for using his department-issued credit card and spending more than $50,000 for his personal benefit, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced.

William Weingarten, 66, also paid restitution in the amount of $54,053.33. He pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny charges in February.

“Beginning in 2014, this defendant systematically raided the bank accounts of the Carle Place Fire Department and squandered the money on iTunes and a NASCAR membership,” Singas said in a press release. “This money was intended for live-saving services, yet his greed persisted for more than three years. I thank the members of the Carle Place Fire Department for helping bring this rogue member to justice.”

The DA says Weingarten used his department-issued credit card to make $54,053.33 worth of unauthorized purchases from Jan. 1, 2014 to Sept. 24, 2017. 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. He was arrested in October.

Image via NCDA