NEWARK — William Storrs, the former chief and treasurer of the Marbletown Volunteer Fire Department in Newark in Wayne County, was recently sentenced to four months of weekends in the Wayne County Jail and five years of probation for stealing more than $101,000 from the department. Storrs was also ordered to pay a total of […]
NEWARK — William Storrs, the former chief and treasurer of the Marbletown Volunteer Fire Department in Newark in Wayne County, was recently sentenced to four months of weekends in the Wayne County Jail and five years of probation for stealing more than $101,000 from the department.
Storrs was also ordered to pay a total of $101,394.50 in restitution, according to a Sept. 3 announcement from New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Wayne County District Attorney Christine Callanan, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.
“William Storrs abused the trust of the community he was sworn to serve and protect by stealing over $100,000 in fire department funds for his own profit,” the comptroller said. “Thanks to our partnership with the New York State Police and District Attorney Callanan, he has been held accountable for his crimes and the money he stole will be recovered.”
DiNapoli’s office and the New York State Police launched a joint investigation into the Marbletown Fire Department in 2024, looking into allegations of theft. They found Storrs used his position as treasurer and then later as chief to steal $101,000-plus over four years. From January 2020 to July 2024, he made numerous personal purchases with the fire department’s debit cards and made direct payments from the department’s bank accounts to his personal accounts. Storrs also made payments to his wife’s credit card and purchased items from various retailers, per the announcement.
The theft was discovered when a member of the Marbletown Volunteer Fire Department attempted to make a purchase with the department’s debit card and it was declined due to lack of funds. Fire department officials then reported the unauthorized activity to the State Police, who partnered with DiNapoli’s office. In July 2024, Storrs was replaced as fire chief and suspended from the fire department.
“Public funds exist to serve the community, not to line the pockets of those in power. Mr. Storrs’ theft was a serious breach of duty, but today he has been held to account and ordered to repay every dollar he stole. Let this outcome serve as a warning: anyone who abuses their position for personal gain will face consequences, and the resources they took will be restored to the people they belong to,” Wayne County DA Callanan said.
Storrs was sentenced before Judge Richard M. Healy in Wayne County Court.
