March 18, 2015
By Stephanie West
Timothy J. Brown, Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department’s treasurer for the last eight years, faces grand larceny charges after allegedly stealing cash and using his department credit card to cover a $20,000 spree of family trips, birthday parties and other personal expenses.
“I cannot begin to say how many times I took cash from the fire department,” the 53-year-old Brown reportedly told investigators after his arrest.
According to New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office, the 30-year Volunteer Fire Department veteran from Franklin County admitted to illegal activity between 2010 and 2013. During that time, Brown allegedly used volunteer fire department funds to pay for hotel rooms at Candlewood Suites, family trips to North Carolina and a birthday celebration in Boston. Brown also allegedly pocketed more than $3,500 from chicken barbecue and golf tournament fundraisers held in the summer of 2013.
“From plane fare to pizza, Mr. Brown used fire department money for his own benefit, even shamelessly pocketing fundraising money,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “He financed trips to North Carolina and Massachusetts, including the Boston Duck Tour, using volunteer department money.”
The former Tupper Lake treasurer was charged with grand larceny in the third degree, a Class D felony, and sent to the Franklin County jail in lieu of $5,000 bail. Brown is due back in Tupper Lake Village court on April 13.
