Jonnell Rose, former Treasurer of the Vernon Center Fire Department, pled guilty to stealing more than $300,000 from the department, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Oneida County District Attorney Todd Carville, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced today. Rose pled guilty to grand larceny in the second degree.
“Jonnell Rose betrayed his community’s trust and stole over $300,000 meant to protect it,” DiNapoli said. “I thank District Attorney Carville and the New York State Police for their partnership in holding him accountable.”
Carville said, “This crime is particularly disturbing because of the victims that were targeted, the community and the fine men and women who selflessly give their time and talent as volunteer firefighters. I would like to thank the New York State Police and the New York State Comptroller’s Office for their hard work as well as the efforts of my Assistant, ADA Paul Kelly, who ensured that the defendant was held responsible and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
James said, “This guilty plea demonstrates the vital collaborative work of our law enforcement partners focused on the same goal; holding those who break our laws, accountable. Mr. Rose took advantage of a position he was entrusted in, and stole funds intended to support the Vernon Center Fire Department and the community it serves. I thank our State Police members, the Comptroller’s Office, and Oneida County District Attorney’s Office for their commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who victimize others.”
A joint investigation by DiNapoli’s office and the State Police found Rose, 52, of Vernon, stole $309,000 from the department over a six-year period from May 2018 to May 2024.
Rose wrote fire department checks to cash, which he pocketed, deposited checks written to various legitimate fire department vendors into his personal accounts and deposited checks intended for the department into his own bank account.
A forensic examination by DiNapoli’s office revealed that Rose made numerous personal purchases and payments, including crypto currency transactions, credit card payments, and cash withdrawals with the funds he stole from the department.
Rose pled guilty before Judge Michael Nolan in Oneida County Court to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and will be sentenced on October 28, 2025.
Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption 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 emailing a complaint to [email protected] or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.