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Posted on: October 7, 2025, 12:18h.
Last updated on: October 7, 2025, 12:18h.
- A New York man has been sent to prison for stealing from a volunteer fire company
- James Hoffman admitted to stealing almost $450K to fund his gambling habit
A New York man will spend the next two to six years in prison after he admitted to stealing almost $450,000 from a volunteer fire company. Most of the money, he conceded, funded his severe gambling addiction.
On Monday, New York’s Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane announced that James Hoffman, 42, of Depew, had entered into a plea agreement that resulted in him pleading guilty to one count of grand larceny in the second degree — a Class C felony — and one count of repeated failure to file personal income and earnings taxes — a Class E felony. Hoffman additionally pleaded guilty to the failure to file personal income taxes with the intent to evade payment for more than three years.
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. He knowingly violated the trust placed in him by firefighters, dedicated volunteers, and the community,” said Keane.
Keane said the total theft amounted to $446,118.42. Hoffman’s crimes occurred between January 2019 and January 2025. At the time, he was the treasurer for the Sheridan Park Volunteer Fire Company.
Gambling Habit
The probe into the Sheridan Park Fire Company’s finances began after a vendor said a check from the first responder bounced due to insufficient funds.
An investigation determined that Hoffman, who had sole oversight over the company’s banking accounts, made unauthorized cash withdrawals during the six years. Hoffman was also found to have not deposited money received from the fire company’s many fundraisers and raffles.
Hoffman used the stolen money to support his gambling habit,” Keane said.
In part of his plea, Hoffman turned over $55,000 to the Sheridan Park Fire Company. He also agreed to pay the remaining restitution of $391,118.42 once he’s released from prison and able to work in some capacity. He’ll also need to pay $26,706 in restitution to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for his back taxes.
“I hope that the Sheridan Park Fire Company will be made whole through his restitution payments and continued support from our community,” Keane added.
Hoffman got off easy, as the charges against him warranted up to 15 years in prison.
Prosecutors did not disclose where and how Hoffman gambled, whether online or in person, and what kind of gambling he fancied. Depew, however, is just east of Buffalo where Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino is located. The tribal casino has more than 1,000 slot machines, 30 live dealer table games, and a sportsbook.
Volunteer Fire Department Services
The Sheridan Park Fire Company provides fire-rescue services, including fire suppression, rescue, and community fire prevention programming. The unit also performs safety planning and assessments for the community.
Sheridan Park has four trucks, including two engines, one ladder, and one rescue.
In 2024, the Sheridan Park Fire Company listed $966K in itemized expenses. The notarized journal was signed off by the Erie County Board of Fire Commissioners.
