Gray Sentenced for Stealing $196K from Glen Cove Fire Department

Retired fire dispatcher George William Gray – or Bill as he was known in the community – was sentenced on Friday to one to three years in jail after pleading guilty to stealing over $196,000 from  between May 10, 2003 and March 6, 2009, said Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice.

The 68-year-old Gray, who relocated to Henderson, N.C, retired in 2009 after 34 years as a dispatcher and 44 years as a volunteer firefighter for the department.

, the top count in a 108-count indictment. Gray was sentenced before Judge Jerald Carter, and the court also ordered a civil judgment in the amount of $196,071.20 against Gray.

Those who knew him were shocked and saddened by Gray's actions.

"We're very upset about the whole incident," said chief Anthony Tripp of the Glen Cove Fire Department. "We fought fires together. He was like family. He betrayed our trust and gave us a black eye in the community."

For 20 years, Gray served as chairman for the department's fund drive. It was from this fund—sponsored completely by volunteer donors—that Gray admitted to writing himself over 300 checks and forging the GCFD's treasurer's signature on over 100 of them during the six-year period.

Gray used the funds to purchase model trains and gourmet cigars, according to Rice.

 to charges of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, 104 counts of Criminal Possession of a forged instrument in the Second Degree, and three misdemeanor charges of Official Misconduct.

It was not until after Gray's retirement that the department learned of the thefts. Chief Vincent Martinez contacted Mayor Suozzi who then hired an auditor and reported the incident to the DA's office.

“The years of deceiving and stealing from the Glen Cove Fire Department caught up with this defendant and he will now pay the price,” Rice said. “Mr. Gray not only preyed on the generosity of Glen Cove residents who donated to the fire department, but he betrayed the trust of his colleagues.”