Former treasurer pleads guilty to stealing from fire department

CANTON, New York (WWNY) - A former treasurer of the Morley Fire Department has pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny.

Officials say 58-year-old Cindi Perkins stole more than $16,000 from the company over three years.

“Ms. Perkins was entrusted with money meant to protect her community. Instead, she betrayed the fire company and her neighbors by enriching herself,” said New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli in a news release. “I thank St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary Pasqua and the New York State Police for partnering with my office to bring her to justice.”

Perkins, who worked for the fire company from 2016 to 2019, made unauthorized cash withdrawals, failed to deposit fire company funds, made unauthorized purchases, and wrote unauthorized checks to herself. The monies were a combination of payments from the Town of Canton and the Morley Fire District, as well as fundraising dollars.

Investigators found Perkins made more than $16,000 in personal cash deposits soon after similar cash amounts were paid to the Morley Volunteer Fire Company.

Bank records also showed ATM withdraws made from the fire company accounts at the Del Lago Resort and Casino and the Turning Stone Resort Casino.

Perkins used the stolen money for personal purchases including groceries, makeup, and other retail consumer items, investigators found.

Perkins pleaded guilty in St. Lawrence County Court. She’s due back in court for sentencing on January 3.

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