A Depew man has admitted to stealing funds from a local fire company. James Hoffman, 41, pleaded guilty 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) for stealing funds from the Sheridan Park Fire Company in the Town of Tonawanda.
According to Erie County DA Mike Keane’s office, between January 1, 2019 and January 31, 2025, Hoffman stole $446,118 while working as the treasurer for the fire company. He committed the theft by making unauthorized cash withdrawals from the fire company’s bank accounts and failed to deposit fundraiser proceeds. The DA’s office says that the stolen funds were used to support Hoffman’s gambling habit.
“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,” Keane said in a press release. The company was alerted to the incidents in January of 2025 after a vendor reported that a check from an unpaid invoice was rejected for insufficient funds, according to the DA’s office.
The DA’s office says that Hoffman has turned over $55,000 to his defense attorney which will be provided to the fire company. Hoffman has agreed to pay the remaining balance of $391,118 to the company, he also has agreed to pay $26,706 to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.
Hoffman did not file his personal income taxes from 2021 to 2024, and pleaded guilty for failure to file personal income and earnings, with intent to avoid payment for more than three consecutive taxable years. Hoffman faces a maximum of 15 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 6, 2025. “He knowingly violated the trust placed in him by firefighters, dedicated volunteers, and the community,” said Keane.
