Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
A New York fire department has filed suit against a former fire chief and his wife alleging they improperly used department funds for personal purposes. The Marbletown Volunteer Fire Department filed suit against former fire Chief William Storrs and former treasurer Nicole Storrs.
Quoting from the complaint:
- Defendant William Storrs served as the Chief of the Marbletown Volunteer Fire Department from January 5, 2024 to the present time. Defendant William Storrs served as the Treasurer of the Marbletown Volunteer Fire Department from January 6, 2020 until January 5, 2024.
- Defendant Nicole Storrs served as the Treasurer of the Marbletown Volunteer Fire Department from January 6, 2024 until July 29, 2024. She was placed on all of the Plaintiff’s bank accounts on or about January 6, 2024.
- In or about August, 2024, Plaintiff notices unusual withdrawals, transfers, purchases, expenditures and other unauthorized transactions (collectively “transactions”) by one or both Defendants.
- Such transactions were made without authority and were not in any way related to the business of the Plaintiff.
- Examples of such unauthorized transactions include, but are not in any way limited to hundreds of personal purchases from Only Fans, Amazon, various stores, PayPal and VenMo transfers to their own or personal accounts, Ebay transactions, Facebook transactions, Lowes, Wegmans, “Hotel Engine”, Walmart, concession stands, Hobby Lobby, N.Y.S. Parks, restaurants including Applebees, U-Haul, LNB Enterprises, Philo Inc, Instacart, Wegmans, Dunkin, Spectrum, Family Dollar, Save-A-Lot, David’s Bridal, Etsy, Apple.com, Verizon, various restaurants, “Cash App”, Fingerhut, BJs, Skyweb, gas stations, Leaseville.com, Carpay, Olive Garden, various amusement parks, Zips Truck Equipment, Finger Lakes Campgrounds, State Farm, and car washes.
- Defendant also used Plaintiff’s monies to place a downpayment on his personal vehicle.
- Defendants also made hundreds of direct cash withdrawals and debit withdrawals and transfers to their own personal accounts.
- It is believed that such unauthorized transactions commenced in or about 2021 and
- continued until their discovery in or about August, 2024.
- Plaintiff estimates that the unauthorized funds amount to over $125,000.
- Defendants also control the passwords and access to numerous software, bank accounts and other accounts of Plaintiff. Defendants have refused to release access to such software and accounts despite Plaintiff’s demands therefore.
The complaint alleges conversion – civil theft; breach of fiduciary duty; unjust enrichment; and fraud. The department is seeking $125,000 in damages, plus interest, costs and attorney’s fees. Here is a copy of the complaint:
