MORIAH, N.Y. — The former captain of the Town of Moriah Ambulance Squad, Michael Moran, was recently arrested for allegedly stealing more than $14,000 from the town.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Acting Essex County District Attorney Michael P. Langey, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrest on Sept. 19.

Michael Moran, 57, served as captain of the Town of Moriah Ambulance Squad and also worked for Essex County as an emergency medical technician (EMT). As captain of the squad, Moran was in charge of processing time sheets for payroll, including his own, per the announcement.

After receiving allegations of potential fraud regarding Moran and the ambulance squad, the New York State Police contacted DiNapoli’s office and a joint investigation began. A forensic audit by the comptroller’s investigative team revealed that from December 2023 through March 2025, Moran allegedly inflated the hours he worked for the squad and also paid himself for nearly 150 hours at the squad when he had also claimed to be working for Essex County. Based upon Moran’s false submissions, the Town of Moriah overpaid Moran $14,230 for hours not actually worked, including $2,816 for overlapping time, the comptroller’s office stated.

Moran is no longer employed by the ambulance squad or Essex County Emergency Medical Services.

He was charged with grand larceny in the third degree and arraigned before the Honorable Richard Carpenter in the Town of Moriah Court. He was due back in court on Oct. 21. As of publication time, no information was available about developments at that court proceeding.

“Moran allegedly diverted resources meant to protect his community into his own pocket,” DiNapoli said in the September announcement. “My thanks to Acting District Attorney Langey and the State Police for their continued partnership in fighting corruption.”