Glen Cove Man Stole From His Former Fire Department: NCDA

MINEOLA, NY—A former Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department captain was arrested after he allegedly stole at least $10,000 from his department, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced on Friday.

Alex November, 30, of Glen Cove, allegedly stole the money from a Citibank account used by the department for its "Refreshment Fund," which they use to buy drinks.

He was arraigned on Thursday before Judge Gary Carlton and charged with third-degree grand larceny (a D felony), 12 counts of first-degree falsifying business records (an E felony) and official misconduct (an A misdemeanor). He was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on June 28. If November is convicted of the top count, he faces a maximum sentence of two to seven years in prison.

"This defendant allegedly stole more than $10,000 from a Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department bank account and used that money for personal expenses," Singas said. "Volunteer fire departments provide lifesaving emergency services to our communities, and anyone treating these organizations like a honey-pot will be held accountable for their actions."

From June 2014 to early 2017, November allegedly stole funds from the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department’s Citibank account "Refreshment Fund" by making unauthorized personal expenditures on a debit card, Singas announced. The "Refreshment Fund" was kept separate from the department’s regular business accounts, and was exclusively managed by November to supply beverages for his department.

In order to hide his crime, November allegedly submitted forged bank statements to the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department’s Internal Audit Committee. He allegedly stole a total sum of $10,072.78. For example, one of the actual bank statements showed an entry for a $204.50 ATM withdrawal at "One Mohegan Sun Blvd., Montville, CT." However, on November's forged statement that he gave to the department, the entry read "Debit Card Purch."

The department's president first became aware of an issue with the account in early 2017 when Citibank told the department that the account was overdrawn. After investigating, department members confronted November with evidence of the alleged theft, and November resigned from the department in August 2017.

November allegedly spent the money on Amazon, Microsoft, Payless Shoes, Wendy’s, Harbor Freight Tools and Friendly’s Ice Cream.

The Board of Fire Commissioners and Chiefs for the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department stated, "The Board of Fire Commissioners and Chiefs are aware of the allegations against our former member, Captain Alex November. We are thankful to the District Attorney's office for investigating this matter and look forward to cooperating with this investigation, so justice is fully served."