State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Jefferson County District Attorney Kristyna S. Mills, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrest of the former chief of the Cape Vincent Ambulance Squad (CVAS) for allegedly stealing over $157,000 for unauthorized salaries, bonuses, and vacation time for himself and others. The defendant, Jeffrey J. Call, 55, of Three Mile Bay, was charged with grand larceny in the second degree, and one count of falsifying business records.

CVAS is a paid, non-profit ambulance service that operates in Jefferson County and receives funding from multiple sources including local municipalities. In addition to working at CVAS, Call also worked for the Guilfoyle Ambulance Service (Guilfoyle), a for-profit company in Watertown, N.Y.

“Jeffrey Call allegedly exploited his position of trust to divert resources that were supposed to be used to protect the health and well-being of his community,” DiNapoli said. “My office partners with law enforcement throughout the state to hold those who violate the public trust accountable. My thanks to D.A. Mills and the New York State Police for their continued partnership in fighting public corruption.”

“Public trust is the foundation of public service. When someone entrusted with serving their community instead abuses that position for personal financial gain, the New York State Police will work diligently with our law enforcement partners to ensure they are held accountable. I commend our members, the Office of the State Comptroller, and the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office for their commitment to conducting a thorough investigation and protecting taxpayer resources," James said.

In late 2024, the CVAS board discovered that Call was paying himself and others unauthorized salaries instead of the approved hourly wage and reported the allegations of fraud to the State Police, who contacted DiNapoli’s office and a joint investigation commenced.

A forensic audit by DiNapoli’s office found that Call, who was in charge of payroll, including his own, allegedly paid himself, the deputy chief and his girlfriend salaries on top of their authorized hourly wage from 2022 through 2024. He also, without authorization, allegedly made payouts for bonuses and unused vacation time for himself, the deputy and others.

Call also allegedly inflated his hours and those of the deputy and his girlfriend. The investigation determined that Call also was allegedly paid for time he claimed to be working for CVAS during the same hours he was actually working at Guilfoyle.

Call, the deputy and his girlfriend are no longer employed by CVAS.

Call was arraigned in Jefferson County Court before Judge Isabell Savage. He is due back in court on Aug. 18.

The charges filed in this case are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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.