Long Island fire department allegedly spent over $500K on jewelry, vacations and more
NORTH AMITYVILLE, Long Island (WABC) -- A new report from the state's comptroller office found that out of the $3.6 million in disbursements made between 2017 and 2018 by the North Amityville Fire Department, over $500k was spent on "inappropriate purchases" and unsupported disbursements.
According to the report from the New York State Comptroller's office, an audit on the fire department's disbursements determined that $585,792 was spent on diamond rings, Christmas gifts, a Board member's Alaskan cruise vacation, professional basketball tickets, and a clothing-optional resort in Jamaica among other things.
A full list of the misused funds include:
- $106,542 in unsupported cash disbursements were made to six Board members and the Chief.
- $44,820 for domestic flights and lodging in, among other places, Dallas, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Nashville, Tennessee.
- $32,093 for service and maintenance to vehicles the Company did not own or could not provide support for.
- $11,258 for Christmas gifts that included, but were not limited to, gift cards, clothing, drones and video games.
- $10,853 for one Board member's Alaskan cruise vacation and the Chief's vacation to a clothing-optional resort in Jamaica with his spouse, Secretary to the Board.
- $7,239 for alcohol.
- $5,121 for 14-karat gold and diamond rings for the Chief and his spouse.
- $2,728 for optical services.
- $1,998 for professional basketball tickets.
The audit was conducted between January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018.
Law enforcement is now on the case.
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