The former treasurer of the Le Roy Fire Department and the Le Roy Fireman’s Benevolent Association was sentenced today for stealing nearly $46,000 in public funds to pay for gambling at local casinos, according to New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

Dennis Snow, 62, was sentenced in Genesee County Court to five years probation, 30 days in jail and a final $16,200 restitution payment to the Le Roy Fire Department and the Firemen’s Benevolent Association. Snow pleaded guilty last year to grand larceny in the fourth degree and forgery in the second degree. He was ordered to pay full restitution for the thefts, which took place from 2007 to 2013. 

“Too much money was moved with too little scrutiny while Mr. Snow gambled on the public’s dime,” DiNapoli said. “The solution is often the same: oversight, oversight, oversight. I thank Genesee County District Attorney Lawrence Friedman and the Le Roy Police Department for partnering with my office on this case.”

DiNapoli’s investigation and audits found that Snow used funds from department and association accounts to pay his credit card and cell phone bills and other expenses. Snow confessed to DiNapoli’s investigators that he was actively gambling during this time and used the money to cover his expenses. 

DiNapoli recommended that department and association officials improve their fiscal reviews, including approving disbursements and transfers prior to payment to comparing monthly bank statements and canceled check images with the treasurer’s records and paid invoices.

To read the Comptroller’s audit reports, visit:
http://www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/audits/firedists/2014/leroy.pdf

http://osc.state.ny.us/localgov/audits/firedists/2014/leroybenevolent.pdf

Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and fraud and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by filing a complaint online at [email protected], or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 14th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.