(WNY News Now) – New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Oswego County District Attorney Anthony J. DiMartino, Jr., and the New York State Police announced the indictment of former Hannibal Fire Chief Chris Emmons and his father Carl Emmons Sr., a volunteer firefighter, for allegedly stealing nearly $14,500 from the fire company.
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli stated, “The Emmons allegedly cheated Hannibal residents out of valuable resources meant to protect their community in order to fund their personal pastime. They will now be held accountable for their actions. My thanks to District Attorney DiMartino and the State Police for their partnership in ensuring justice will be served.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James added, “These individuals willfully stole funds intended to support the Hannibal Fire Department and ensure the safety and wellbeing of the community it serves. May this indictment serve as a reminder that financial crimes of any kind will not be tolerated in New York. I want to thank the Comptroller’s Office and our partners in law enforcement for their steadfast support in combating these crimes.”
In February 2016, then-Chief Chris Emmons convinced the Hannibal Fire Company to pay for the construction of a go-kart track on its property, claiming it would help raise money for the company and replace bingo nights. The company spent $35,000 to build Hannibal Kartway.
The Kartway operated from 2017 to 2022, run by Chris Emmons, his family members, and others. Proceeds from race registrations and pit fees were supposed to go to the fire company, while other profits from raffles, membership dues, concessions, and rentals were meant for track operation and maintenance.
An audit by DiNapoli’s office found discrepancies in the Kartway bank accounts, prompting an investigation. It was determined that after 2020, Chris Emmons kept registration fees for himself and by mid-2021 had completely stopped depositing any revenue into the Kartway’s bank account. Chris Emmons allegedly kept over $9,662 from the go-kart track. Additionally, he produced records detailing racetrack attendance, but the investigation revealed these records contained false information.
The Kartway also hosted a raffle called “Kartway Cash,” selling numerous tickets. Although a drawing was never held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris Emmons allegedly kept $2,300 in raffle sales.
Chris Emmons’ father, Carl Emmons Sr., was also involved in running Hannibal Kartway and was a signer on the Kartway bank account. Within days of being contacted by DiNapoli’s office in October 2022, Carl Emmons Sr. closed the Kartway bank account and transferred the $2,522 in remaining funds to his personal account. He then informed DiNapoli’s office that go-kart track operations would be shut down permanently but never returned the $2,522 to the Fire Company.
Chris Emmons was arraigned on charges of grand larceny in the third and fourth degrees, offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, and falsifying business records in the first degree before Judge Karen Brandt Brown in Oswego County Court. He is scheduled to appear in court again on August 26.
Carl Emmons Sr. was arraigned on charges of grand larceny in the fourth degree before Judge Karen Brandt Brown in Oswego County Court. He is due back in court on August 26.
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