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More VFD Embezzling

2 comments
Cynthia Janus

Cynthia Janus

IN ALBION, NEW YORK, A FORMER MEMBER of the Carlton Volunteer Fire Department was arrested and charged with stealing $27,000 from the department. 

 The Livingston County Daily News reports:

Cynthia L. Janus, 50, of 2801 Oak Orchard Rd., Albion was charged with third-degree grand larceny. An audit of the department’s financial records indicated that about $27,000 was unaccounted for between September 2005 and August 2009. The investigation determined that the funds were allegedly embezzled by Janus through her appointed position of operating the department’s recreation hall and bar, state police said.

She was released on her own recognizance and is scheduled to return to court on June 7.

WIVB-TV Ch. 4 Buffalo has this video report:

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Posted by on May 3, 2010 • Filed under: crime, Fire Rescue Topics, Videos • Tagged: , , ,
  • B.Morgan

    We all like to “trust” people, family, friends, co-workers and volunteers who donate to the good of the community. Usually we can but there are time the lure of easy money will direct a person down the wrong path. In the case of an orginizations such as a charity group, church, community orginization or fire department it's allway a good policy to have a system of checks and balances along with on going accountability of the money. It's as easy as having a monthly meeting when the bank statement comes in and checking it againsed the check book account. With electronic banking it can be done on a much more frequent basis. All checks need to be dual signed and all reviews and counting of funds done by at least three people. Credit card reviews need to be done monthly and approved. First to ensure the counting is accurate and then to keep everyone honest. Then on at least an annual basis have a regular accountant come in and look over the books. It could turn into a donation of service and give the accountant a tax break. It sounds cumbersome but compared to a theft and loss of community support it's worth it. I used to be a regular supporter of a large charity, untill I got the inside story of the waste and fraud. Fancy hotel rooms, first class air travel and lavish parties. I lost complete faith in the group and my money went else where. And when they called I told them why.

    There are thousands of honest VFDs who keep accurate and tight controls on their money and think long and hard on every penny they spend. Because the source is the community they serve and live in. Any time there is theft or intentional misuse of public funds the guility ones need to be found, and suffer the full punishment from the law. Being a volunteer is no excuse to break public trust.

    Now if we can instill these values on our local, state and national government evertime they try to do a pork project or build a bridge to nowhere.

  • B.Morgan

    We all like to “trust” people, family, friends, co-workers and volunteers who donate to the good of the community. Usually we can but there are time the lure of easy money will direct a person down the wrong path. In the case of an orginizations such as a charity group, church, community orginization or fire department it's allway a good policy to have a system of checks and balances along with on going accountability of the money. It's as easy as having a monthly meeting when the bank statement comes in and checking it againsed the check book account. With electronic banking it can be done on a much more frequent basis. All checks need to be dual signed and all reviews and counting of funds done by at least three people. Credit card reviews need to be done monthly and approved. First to ensure the counting is accurate and then to keep everyone honest. Then on at least an annual basis have a regular accountant come in and look over the books. It could turn into a donation of service and give the accountant a tax break. It sounds cumbersome but compared to a theft and loss of community support it's worth it. I used to be a regular supporter of a large charity, untill I got the inside story of the waste and fraud. Fancy hotel rooms, first class air travel and lavish parties. I lost complete faith in the group and my money went else where. And when they called I told them why.

    There are thousands of honest VFDs who keep accurate and tight controls on their money and think long and hard on every penny they spend. Because the source is the community they serve and live in. Any time there is theft or intentional misuse of public funds the guility ones need to be found, and suffer the full punishment from the law. Being a volunteer is no excuse to break public trust.

    Now if we can instill these values on our local, state and national government evertime they try to do a pork project or build a bridge to nowhere.