Former volunteer fire company treasurer sentenced for stealing more than $446K

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Depew man who used to work for the Sheridan Park Volunteer Fire Company was sentenced Monday morning for stealing more than $446,000 over six years, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.

James Hoffman, 42, worked as treasurer for the company, in Tonawanda, between January 2019 and January 2025. He stole a total of $446,118.42 in that time and used the money to support his gambling habit, officials said.

Hoffman would make unauthorized cash withdrawals from the fire company’s bank accounts and would not deposit money from fundraisers.

“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,” said Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane. “He knowingly violated the trust placed in him by firefighters, dedicated volunteers and the community.”

He pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny in July, as well as repeated failure to file personal income and earnings taxes after failing to pay his taxes between 2021 and 2024.

He received an indeterminate sentence of two to six years in prison and was ordered to pay back full restitution to the fire company.