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Dec 7, 2012 -- Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that Elizabeth Burns-Scott (DOB 8/01/68) of 249 Henry Street, Buchanan, New York was arraigned today on an indictment charging her with:

  • one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class "D" Felony, for the theft of $14,800 from the Verplanck Fire Protection Association.

The defendant served as treasurer at the Verplanck Fire Department, located at 238 Eighth Street within the hamlet of Verplanck in the Town of Cortlandt.

Between Nov. 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012, the defendant is accused of stealing approximately $14,800 from a number of the volunteer fire department accounts and using it for her own purposes without authorization.

The defendant would withdraw cash from ATM's and use the department's debit card for purchases.

New York State Police were contacted about the theft on June 7, 2012 and the defendant was arrested.

Her next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 20, 2012.

District Attorney Janet DiFiore said after the arraignment, "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."

She faces faces a maximum sentence of 7 years in state prison if convicted.

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

 

In compliance with Disciplinary Rule 7-107A of the Code of Professional Responsibility, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.