Ex-fireman admits he stole from department
NORWICH – A former area firefighter pleaded guilty Tuesday in Chenango County Court to forging a fellow service member’s name and stealing around $4,200 from the Plymouth Fire Department.
LeRoy C. Burlingame III, 26 of 130 North Broad Street, Norwich, resigned from his part-time position in the Norwich Fire Department and his volunteer post in Plymouth after police charged him with four felonies July 12.
He pleaded guilty to one count of second degree forgery, a D class felony after being charged with a total of three forgery counts. He was also charged with fourth degree grand larceny, an E Class felony.
In a brief court appearance, Burlingame apologized for the incidents, thanking Chenango County Judge W. Howard Sullivan and District Attorney Joseph McBride for their service in the matter.
Burlingame accepted a felony plea bargain that will place him on interim probation for one year with no jail time. If he repays the stolen amounts and stays out of further legal trouble, his charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor. He will also be sentenced to another two years of probation if he successfully completes the interim conditions. McBride said Burlingame could face from 2 1/3 to seven years in prison if he violates the agreement.
Burlingame explained in court that he cashed checks from the Plymouth Fire Department, signing his name and forging another person’s.
The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office reported that Burlingame was serving as the department’s president and treasurer at the time of the crimes from spring 2009 to spring of 2010.
Police said they were alerted to the missing funds by the Plymouth Fire Dept. after Burlingame resigned from his positions in February.
“He resigned from the fire department and the next person taking the position discovered the information,” said Lt. Richard Cobb.
LeRoy C. Burlingame III, 26 of 130 North Broad Street, Norwich, resigned from his part-time position in the Norwich Fire Department and his volunteer post in Plymouth after police charged him with four felonies July 12.
He pleaded guilty to one count of second degree forgery, a D class felony after being charged with a total of three forgery counts. He was also charged with fourth degree grand larceny, an E Class felony.
In a brief court appearance, Burlingame apologized for the incidents, thanking Chenango County Judge W. Howard Sullivan and District Attorney Joseph McBride for their service in the matter.
Burlingame accepted a felony plea bargain that will place him on interim probation for one year with no jail time. If he repays the stolen amounts and stays out of further legal trouble, his charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor. He will also be sentenced to another two years of probation if he successfully completes the interim conditions. McBride said Burlingame could face from 2 1/3 to seven years in prison if he violates the agreement.
Burlingame explained in court that he cashed checks from the Plymouth Fire Department, signing his name and forging another person’s.
The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office reported that Burlingame was serving as the department’s president and treasurer at the time of the crimes from spring 2009 to spring of 2010.
Police said they were alerted to the missing funds by the Plymouth Fire Dept. after Burlingame resigned from his positions in February.
“He resigned from the fire department and the next person taking the position discovered the information,” said Lt. Richard Cobb.
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