New York Man Indicted Indicted On Charges He Embezzled $200K From VFW

Ralph R. VanAlstyne Sr., 62, of Gloversville, New York was indicted today on charges he embezzled a total of more than $200,000 from three veterans organizations: the American Legion Harold Wilmont Post 137, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Bernard W. Kierney Memorial Post #2077 and the Fulton County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 122, where he held fiduciary positions. The 14 count indictment includes six counts of third-degree grand larceny, one count of second-degree grand larceny, one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, three counts of first-degree falsifying business records and three counts of second-degree offering a false instrument for filing. According to prosecutors, VanAlstyne's scheme spanned nearly 4 years from January 2005 until December 2008. The scheme apparently involved the siphoning of funds from the organizations' revenues from gaming operations. Prosecutors alleged that VanAlstyne shifted funds between accounts in an effort to hide his thefts.

Read the story here and here.

Update (6/7/11): VanAlstyne pleaded guilty to three felony counts and agreed to restitution of $186,527.  He will served up to six years in prison.