(WNY News Now) – A Depew man admitted to stealing over $446,000 from the Sheridan Park Volunteer Fire Company and failing to file personal taxes for three years.
ERIE COUNTY, NY – James Hoffman, 41, of Depew, pleaded guilty on July 16, 2025, to grand larceny and repeated failure to file personal income taxes in Erie County Court. The charges stem from a multi-year embezzlement scheme in which he stole $446,118.42 from the Sheridan Park Volunteer Fire Company while serving as its treasurer.
According to Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane, Hoffman pleaded guilty before Judge James F. Bargnesi to one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class C felony) and one count of Repeated Failure to File Personal Income and Earnings Taxes (Class E felony). He admitted to the highest level charges permissible under the law.
Between January 2019 and January 2025, Hoffman made unauthorized cash withdrawals from the fire company’s bank accounts and withheld funds from fundraiser proceeds. His theft came to light in January 2025, after a vendor reported a bounced check due to insufficient funds. Hoffman, who used the money to support a gambling addiction, was removed from his role shortly afterward.
He also failed to file personal income taxes between 2021 and 2024, with the intent to evade payment.
At his plea hearing, Hoffman turned over $55,000 through his attorney to be repaid to the fire company. He also signed a Confession of Judgment to pay the remaining $391,118.42 to the organization and $26,706 to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
Hoffman faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison when he returns to court on October 6, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Although prosecutors requested that he be held pending sentencing, he was released on his own recognizance.
“For many years, this defendant abused his position as treasurer to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from a fire company that helps and protects the residents of Tonawanda. He knowingly violated the trust placed in him by firefighters, dedicated volunteers and the community. I am pleased to announce that he pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charges, and I hope that the Sheridan Park Fire Company will be made whole through his restitution payments and continued support from our community,” said Erie County DA Mike Keane.
The investigation was led by Detective Eric Schmidt of the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, with assistance from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. The case was prosecuted by Chief Gary M. Ertel of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.
Leave a Reply