Ex-Esperance, NY, Fire Chief Charged with Taking Memorial, Department Funds
A former Schoharie County fire chief has been charged with stealing department funds.
According to a news release from the office of state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Matthew Deffer, 44, of Esperance, a former chief of the Esperance Volunteer Fire Department was arrested and charged with stealing about $10,000 from the Esperance Fire and Rescue Squad and the Fallen Firefighter Memorial.
DiNapoli and State Police Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement Friday, May 29.
“Matthew Deffer betrayed his position of trust as fire chief by allegedly stealing money meant to protect his neighbors and honor those who sacrificed themselves for their community,” DiNapoli said. “Thanks to our partnership with the State Police, he will now be held accountable.”
“A multi-agency investigation determined that the suspect in this case violated the public trust by evading his oath and allegedly stealing from the department and Fallen Firefighter Memorial,” James said. “Anyone who uses their trusted position to inflict public corruption will face consequences. I commend our members and the Comptroller’s Office for their partnership to ensure that justice will be fully served.”
According to the release, Deffer had signatory authority and access to the village of Esperance EMS account. He is alleged to have written two checks to himself from the EMS account totaling about $3,900. After the village discovered the thefts, Deffer allegedly claimed to repay the money by check, but that check ultimately bounced. His father eventually repaid the funds, the release stated.
After receiving allegations regarding the theft, an investigation and forensic analysis revealed that Deffer allegedly stole an additional $5,751 from the Schoharie Fallen Firefighters Memorial fund account, which he had sole access to, according to the release. He allegedly transferred $2,900 in fire department funds to the memorial account and drained the account of all its funds between May and August of 2025.
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