Former fire company financial secretary pleads guilty to stealing nearly $18,000 in parade funds

1

WALLKILL, N.Y. — Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that the former financial secretary of the Washington Heights Fire Company in Wallkill has pleaded guilty to grand theft charges for embezzling $17,947 from the fire company’s parade fund.

Lynn T. Simpson, 43, admitted in court Nov. 1 to stealing the funds while serving as financial secretary of the fire company and co-chairman of the parade committee. The funds were planned to be used for a parade scheduled for September 23, 2023, which had to be canceled just eleven days before the event due to theft. Another 35 fire companies were expected to participate in the parade, but embezzlement left the company without the necessary resources to proceed.

According to an investigation by the New York State Police, Simpson misappropriated funds by making unauthorized withdrawals at 83 ATMs using his fire company debit card over the course of a year, from August 2022 to September 2023. Because of his position, Simpson was able to access the fire company’s bank accounts and eventually withdrew approximately $18,000 from the parade fund account.

As part of the plea agreement, Simpson agreed to repay all of the stolen funds.

District Attorney Hoovler condemned the actions, saying: “This defendant’s action in stealing money from a volunteer fire company is reprehensible and unfair not only to the brave men and women who selflessly serve as firefighters, but also to the community that has been deprived of an opportunity .to show their appreciation. Volunteer fire departments in Orange County have long been a rallying point for community pride.”

The case was investigated by the New York State Police, whose efforts were praised by Hoovler. The District Attorney’s Office has vowed to continue prosecuting people who steal from volunteers and charities.