A former chief financial officer of the St. Johnsville Volunteer Ambulance Corp. today was charged with stealing over $26,000 from the company, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Montgomery County District Attorney Christina Pearson and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced. The defendant, Shannon Countryman, 46, was charged with grand larceny in the third degree and forgery in the third degree.

“Shannon Countryman allegedly abused her position of trust to divert funds meant to protect the health and welfare of her community to fund her personal expenses,” DiNapoli said. “Thanks to my partnership with Montgomery County District Attorney Pearson and the New York State Police, she will be held accountable.”

“Individuals who take advantage of their employment position to commit financial crimes will be held responsible for their actions,” Pearson said. “I would like to personally thank the Office of the State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Division of Investigations together with the investigators of the New York State Police in their joint investigation of this matter.

“The alleged actions of Ms. Countryman are a clear-cut example of an individual using their position for their own personal benefit,” James said. “I applaud the tremendous work done by our State Police members, the Comptroller’s Office, and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. The State Police remains committed to investigating and apprehending individuals willing to engage in dishonest use of company funds meant to assist honest workers and the community.”

The joint investigation between DiNapoli’s office and the State Police determined that Countryman wrote checks to herself from St. Johnsville Volunteer Ambulance Corp. company accounts purportedly for personal and sick leave accruals to which she was not entitled. From April 2023 to October 2023, she allegedly stole $26,456.04 from the company.

Investigators found that she also forged the signature of the Ambulance Corp.’s board chairman on some of the checks. She allegedly used a majority of the stolen funds to pay for home renovations, including a new roof and the installation of a well.

Countryman, who served in her position from 2004 to 2023, was arraigned in St. Johnsville Town Court. She is due back in court on March 26, 2025.

The charges filed in this case are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by emailing a complaint to [email protected] or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.