James Smyth, a New York City Deputy Sheriff, was arrested and charged with Grand Larceny, falsifying business records and petit larceny for allegedly embezzling more than $13,000 from the New York City Deputy Sheriffs’’ Association while serving as the union’s treasurer.
Between February 2008 and January 2009, Smyth allegedly wrote eight unauthorized union checks to himself from three of the union accounts. In efforts to conceal his embezzlement of approximately $13,000, Smyth purportedly created false records of expenditures for the union. Investigation revealed that some of expenditures Smyth listed were never acquired by the union.
If convicted, Smyth faces a maximum penalty of more than 10 years in prison. The defendant is currently suspended from his duties without pay.