The two employees fired from the Central New York S-P-C-A amid a theft investigation found themselves arraigned on grand larceny charges Friday morning. Details of the case made public today show the extent of the alleged embezzlement is both staggering and crippling. Onondaga County’s District Attorney detailed almost $700-thousand in funds siphoned from the animal shelter. Bill Fitzpatrick says former Director Paul Morgan is accused of writing more than 100 checks to himself.
“There were checks and balances within the organization and unfortunately it is alleged that Mr. Morgan manipulated those checks and balances to conceal his nefarious crimes. This is an ongoing investigation. There is no cloud of suspicion over any current employees of the Central New York SPCA.”
Fitzpatrick explained a romantic relationship existed between Morgan and veterinary tech Taylor Gilkey. Another 50-plus checks were written to her – with 50-percent of those amounts kicked-back to Morgan.
Former County Executive Nick Pirro was treasurer…and has now stepped in as interim director.
“The trust of an individual was broken to everyone who works there and it really was at their expense, because the ability to put on additional people, the ability to do a few things that were needed, it was always said there wasn’t enough money.”
Pirro adds there are 400 animals that still need support – which those funds could have assisted. The case is similar to local church and union embezzlement cases Fitzpatrick has prosecuted.
“It’s invariably a longtime employee that everyone knows and everybody trusts. And everybody thinks that he or she is just the cat’s meow, and they’re really working hard. And then within that relationship of trust, it never crosses your mind that this person could be a thief.”
He adds in this case, Morgan and Gilkey appear to have used the money for travel and gambling…so very little can be recovered. More charges are possible; Fitzpatrick says if the total amount of the embezzlement tops one million dollars, a harsher level of felony grand larceny could be charged, carrying with it stiffer penalties.
