A former Treasurer of the Vernon Center Fire Department was arrested for allegedly stealing more than $300,000 from the department, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Oneida County District Attorney Todd Carville, and the New York State Police announced today. The defendant, Jonnell Rose, was charged with grand larceny in the second degree.
“Jonnell Rose allegedly exploited his position of trust to divert money meant to protect his community for his own financial benefit,” DiNapoli said. “I thank District Attorney Carville and the New York State Police for their partnership in this investigation.”
“I want to commend our State Police members along with our partners at the Comptroller’s Office for their outstanding work on this arrest,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said. “Thus far, it has been revealed that Jonnell Rose allegedly violated the trust of the Vernon Center Fire Department members and the public when he used his position to steal funds that were meant to benefit the community. We have zero tolerance for those who abuse their position for their own personal gain.”
A joint investigation by DiNapoli’s office and the New York State Police found Rose, 51, of Vernon, stole $309,000 from the department over a six-year period from May 2018 to May 2024.
Rose wrote fire department checks to cash and deposited checks purportedly written to various legitimate fire department vendors into his personal accounts. He also allegedly deposited checks intended for the department into his personal bank account.
A forensic examination revealed that Rose made numerous personal purchases and payments, including crypto currency transactions, credit card payments, and cash withdrawals with the allegedly stolen funds.
Rose was arraigned in Vernon Town Court.
The charges filed in this case are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by emailing a complaint to [email protected] or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.