Crime & Safety

Retired Dispatcher Pleads Guilty to Stealing $196K From Glen Cove Fire Department

George William Gray pleaded guilty to grand larceny charges.

Retired fire dispatcher George William Gray – or Bill as he was known in the community – pleaded guilty on Thursday after stealing over $196,000 from  between May 10, 2003 and March 6, 2009.

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.

Gray plead guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, the top count in a 108-count indictment. Gray is expected to receive a prison sentence of one-to-three years at his March 16 sentence date. The court also ordered a civil judgment in the amount of $196,071.20 against Gray.

Find out what's happening in Glen Covewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Those who knew him were shocked and saddened by the initial allegations in September: "If it's true, it's really something that regrettably affects this man," said Glen Cove Mayor Ralph Suozzi, who served as a volunteer firefighter with Gray from 1983 to 1984. "It goes against the grain of all I know about the fire service. It's a brotherhood. It would be an unfortunate thing."

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.

Find out what's happening in Glen Covewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Gray used the funds to purchase model trains and gourmet cigars, according to Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen 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 Anthony Tripp contacted Mayor Suozzi who then hired an auditor and reported the incident to the DA's office.

"This defendant not only preyed on the generosity of Glen Cove residents, but he stole money from the volunteer men and women who put their lives on the line to protect their community," Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice said in a press release.

Members of the Glen Cove Fire Department declined to comment.

Patch will update the story as more information becomes available.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.