VERNON CENTER— A former treasurer for the Vernon Center Fire Department has pled guilty to stealing more than $300,000 from the department. Jonnell Rose, 52, pled guilty before Judge Michael Nolan in Oneida County Court to grand larceny in the second degree and will be sentenced on Oct. 28. That’s according to an Aug. 14 […]
VERNON CENTER— A former treasurer for the Vernon Center Fire Department has pled guilty to stealing more than $300,000 from the department.
Jonnell Rose, 52, pled guilty before Judge Michael Nolan in Oneida County Court to grand larceny in the second degree and will be sentenced on Oct. 28. That’s according to an Aug. 14 announcement from New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Oneida County District Attorney Todd Carville, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.
A joint investigation by DiNapoli’s office and the State Police found Rose, 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, which he pocketed, deposited checks written to various legitimate fire department vendors into his personal accounts, and deposited checks intended for the department into his own bank account, according to the guilty-plea announcement.
A forensic examination by DiNapoli’s office revealed that Rose made numerous personal purchases and payments, including crypto-currency transactions, credit-card payments, and cash withdrawals with the funds he stole from the department.
Rose was arrested in early February of this year.
“Jonnell Rose betrayed his community’s trust and stole over $300,000 meant to protect it,” DiNapoli said in the announcement. “I thank District Attorney Carville and the New York State Police for their partnership in holding him accountable.”
James added, “This guilty plea demonstrates the vital collaborative work of our law enforcement partners focused on the same goal; holding those who break our laws, accountable. Mr. Rose took advantage of a position he was entrusted in, and stole funds intended to support the Vernon Center Fire Department and the community it serves.”
