State investigators arrested a volunteer fire department leader accused of stealing money meant to support emergency services in Schuyler County.
Authorities charged the president and interim treasurer of the Monterey Volunteer Fire Department with grand larceny after an investigation found thousands of dollars missing from department accounts.
Officials identified the defendant in court records as Kelly S. Groves, 49, of Beaver Dams. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Schuyler County District Attorney Jeremy Hourihan, and State Police Superintendent Steven James announced the arrest Friday.
Investigators said Groves allegedly stole more than $3,000 from the department between 2018 and 2022 by withdrawing cash from department bank accounts and making personal purchases with a department debit card. A forensic review found nearly $20,000 in cash withdrawals, but Groves reportedly provided receipts for less than $5,000.
The investigation also found that cash from fundraisers and member dues went undeposited for three years, from 2019 through 2021, while Groves served as interim treasurer.
DiNapoli said the case is especially troubling because the department previously suffered a major embezzlement scandal. In 2013, the department’s former chief and treasurer were convicted of stealing more than $100,000 following a separate investigation by the comptroller’s office.
Groves joined the fire department in 2003 and has held several leadership roles. She served as president and interim treasurer from August 2018 through December 2022 and returned as president in January after a year away from the department.
Groves appeared in Schuyler County Centralized Arraignment Part Court before Judge Kristina Vondracek and is scheduled to return to court Feb. 10. Prosecutors stressed that the charge is an accusation and that she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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