Long Island Union Treasurer Admits Pilfering Organization's Money: DA

RIVERSIDE, NY — A former Bellport teachers' union rep admitted to misusing her union-issued debit card to make $20,000 in unauthorized personal purchases and withdrawals in her position as treasurer, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Fannie Bowe, a 54-year-old from Bellport who was the treasurer of the Bellport Teachers Association Affiliates Union, pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny on Wednesday, prosecutors said.

“Being elected as treasurer is of high honor in which your colleagues entrust you to uphold the integrity of their organization,” Tierney said. “This defendant took advantage of that trust for her own selfish reasons. We will continue to pursue any individual who thinks that they can get away with stealing funds from hard-working employees.”

Bowe had been the treasurer of the Bellport Teachers Association Affiliates since October 2020, while also being employed as a school monitor for South Country Central School District.

The union represents teaching assistants and school aides at South Country and it's entirely funded by member dues.

Between July 2021 and January 2023, she "repeatedly misused" her union-issued debit credit card to make more than $2,500 in unauthorized purchases and $18,000 in unauthorized ATM withdrawals, according to prosecutors.

She also submitted multiple false treasurer reports to the union's executive board "to conceal and disguise her unlawful conduct," prosecutors said, adding that Bowe’s misuse was uncovered after
union officials noticed and questioned expenses on reports she had submitted.

Bowe is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 5, 2024.

Her attorney, Steve Wilutis of Miller Place, could not be immediately reached after business hours.