
WOODSTOCK, N.Y. - The former treasurer of an Ulster County fire company is behind bars, accused of embezzling some $200,000 from the department.
Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says an audit by his office found that 64-year-old Dale Hughes endorsed 83 checks totaling $200,385 that were made payable to cash. Auditors estimate the former treasurer pocketed an additional $21,000 in cash proceeds from various pancake breakfast fundraisers.
Hughes allegedly took the money over a five year period, when he served as treasurer of the Woodstock Fire Company from 1997 to 2011.
DiNapoli alleges that when Hughes learned of a possible audit, he deposited most of the money back to the department – but it was too late.
Hughes is now charged with grand larceny.