Suffolk Fire Department Spent $585K On 'Inappropriate Purchases': Audit

NORTH AMITYVILLE, NY — The North Amityville Fire Department spent more than $500,000 on "inappropriate purchases" made between 2017 and 2018, such as vacations, jewelry, and sporting events, according to the state's comptroller office.

According to the report from the New York State Comptroller's office, an audit of the fire department's disbursements determined that out of $3.6 million, 373 disbursements were reviewed totaling $653,480. Disbursements totaling $585,792 were for "inappropriate purchases" and/or not supported.

Examples of the misused funds include:

• $106,542 in unsupported cash disbursements were made to six Board members and the Chief.
• $44,820 for domestic flights and lodging in, among other places, Dallas, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Las Vegas, Nevada; 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, gift cards, clothing, drones and video games.
• $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, Secretary to the Board.
• $7,239 for alcohol.
• $5,121 for 14-karat gold and diamond rings for the Chief and his spouse.

Patch has reached out to the office of the New York State Comptroller and the North Amityville Fire Department for comment.