Vernon Center, N.Y. — A former treasurer of the Vernon Center Fire Department pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing more than $300,000 from the department.

Jonnell Rose, 51, of Vernon, stole $309,000 from the volunteer fire department over a six-year period from May 2018 to May 2024, according to State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and the State Police.

Rose pleaded guilty in Oneida County Court to second-degree grand larceny.

Rose wrote fire department checks to cash and deposited checks written to various legitimate fire department vendors into his personal accounts, officials said in a news release Thursday. He deposited checks intended for the department into his bank account, they said.

Rose used the stolen money to make numerous personal purchases and payments, including cryptocur

See Full Page