Crime & Safety

Former Verplanck Fire Treasurer Indicted on Grand Larceny Charge

Elizabeth Burns-Scott of Buchanan allegedly stole nearly $15,000 from the Verplanck fire department.

A former treasurer for the Verplanck fire district was indicted today on the charge of third-degree grand larceny for allegedly stealing $15,000 from the fire department earlier this year.

Elizabeth Burns-Scott, 44, of Buchanan, was arraigned for allegedly stealing $14,800 from the fire department between Nov. 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012.  Scott allegedly used a debit card to withdraw cash from a number of fire department accounts for her own personal use.

State Police arrested Scott on June 7 after they were alerted about her earlier that day.

“This defendant in her capacity as treasurer violated the trust and the position she held on behalf of these volunteer firefighters and instead of overseeing the donations and other money the department used to benefit the public safety of the residents of Verplanck, she used it for her own personal gain,” Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore said in a  statement.

Scott is scheduled to reappear in court on Dec. 20.

Assistant District Attorney Shara Abraham of the Public Integrity Bureau is prosecuting the case.  

Scott faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison if she is convicted.


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