Parade Canceled After Financial Secretary Embezzled The Funds

WALKILL, NY — This parade wan't rained out, but instead, a trusted official raided the rainy day fund.

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that 43-year-old Lynn T. Simpson, of Wallkill, pled guilty on Friday to third degree grand larceny in connection with the theft of $17,947 from the Parade Fund of the Washington Heights Fire Company in Wallkill.

Simpson admitted to embezzling the funds while acting as the financial secretary of the fire company, and co-chair of the parade committee. As part of the plea agreement, she will repay all of the stolen funds.

According to court documents, the Washington Heights Fire Company was scheduled to host a parade on September 23, 2023, which was to include the participation of 35 other fire companies. As a result of Simpson's embezzlement, the parade had to be canceled eleven days prior to the event.

A New York State Police investigation found that between August 29, 2022, and September 8, 2023, Simpson was a member of the Washington Heights Volunteer Fire Company, located at 10 Ohio Place in Middletown. She previously trained as an exterior firefighter and had also been with active fire police. In her role as the fire company's financial secretary, Simpson had access to the fire company’s bank accounts and ultimately stole around $17,947 in cash. She stole the funds from the fire company’s parade bank account by using a debit card to make 83 unauthorized ATM cash withdrawals.

"Firefighters, both volunteer and paid, bravely place their lives on the line to protect our lives and property, and the community shows their appreciation by supporting local volunteers and attending parades," Hoovler said. "This defendant’s actions in stealing money from a volunteer fire company is reprehensible and unfair not only to the brave men and women who unselfishly serve as firefighters, but also to the community who were robbed of an opportunity to show their appreciation. Volunteer fire departments in Orange County have long stood as a rallying point of community pride. I thank the New York State Police for their investigation into the theft of these funds, and my office will continue to prosecute those who steal from volunteer and charitable organizations."

The district attorney thanked the New York State Police for their investigation and the arrest of Simpson.