UPDATE: Chamber Of Commerce CEO Accused Of Fraud, Embezzlement

UPDATE: The Putnam County Sheriff and Brewster village officials released statements Wednesday afternoon about accusations that Trustee Erin Meagher embezzled money from the Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce:

The Village of Brewster Board of Trustees is aware of the allegations against Trustee Erin Meagher regarding her position with the Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce. However, the residents of the Village of Brewster can rest assured that as an individual Trustee, Ms. Meagher was never in control of any Village finances, and had no expense account of any kind through the Village. Any and all financial decisions of the Village, including expenditures, must be approved by the Board of Trustees. Further, there are audits and controls in place to ensure that the Village Budget is adhered to in all respects. The Board of Trustees will continue to monitor the situation, and will keep the public informed as to how this may impact her position as Trustee.

Putnam County Sheriff Donald Smith said:

Erin E. Meagher, 26, of 12 Main Street in Brewster, was arrested on Tuesday, March 21, on a charge of grand larceny in the fourth degree, a class E felony...Sheriff’s investigators arrested Ms. Meagher on Tuesday afternoon. She was booked at the Sheriff’s Office in Carmel and released on an appearance ticket directing her to answer the charge in the Town of Carmel Justice Court on April 11 th . If convicted of the felony offense charged, the defendant could face up to four years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000.00, and an order to pay restitution.

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — The executive director of the Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce was arrested Tuesday on charges of grand larceny.

Erin Meagher, who is also a Brewster village trustee and vice president of the Putnam County Industrial Development Agency, is accused of fraud and embezzlement from the chamber. She was also fired Tuesday.

Chamber officials issued a statement describing a scheme that included using a company debit card to buy luxury clothing and accessories, including Ivanka Trump shoes, and then fabricating fake invoices to cover it up.

"Meagher used the Chamber debit card as her personal slush fund to purchase her wardrobe including jewelry, dresses, Stitch Fix personal styling services, Kate Spade handbags and Ivanka Trump shoes. She even flaunted her ill-gotten apparel at Chamber and community events," the statement read. "Thanks to the due diligence of our volunteers safeguarding our Chamber members' money, we have uncovered this scheme. It is disheartening that she has stolen from the more than 390 Chamber members and has shattered the trust of our community."

Meagher is the second Mahopac community leader to be accused of embezzlement from their nonprofit. The treasurer of the Mahopac Fire Department pleaded guilty earlier this month to cooking the books and stealing $5.6 million over more than a decade.

After processing Tuesday, Meagher was released by the Putnam Sheriff's Department. The assistant district attorney and investigators from the Sheriff's Department are going to the chamber office Wednesday afternoon, and additional charges may be pending, according to Tap Into Mahopac.

Chamber officials said they are working with Putnam County District Attorney Robert Tendy, Assistant District Attorney Larry Glasser and the Putnam County Sheriff Don Smith to prosecute her to the fullest extent of the law.

Meanwhile, the business organization is going to move forward, chamber President Faith Ann Butcher told Patch, "to keep working with law enforcement and to keep focusing on all of the great things we have coming up with the Chamber."

ALSO SEE: Plea from Former Mahopac Fire Department Treasurer in $5.6M Embezzlement Scheme

PHOTO: Erin Meagher/Putnam County Sheriff's Office