DiNapoli: Fulton County Snowmobile President Arrested for Stealing Over $8,000 From Nonprofit

November 13, 2024

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Fulton County District Attorney Mike Poulin announced the arrest of Chad Daley, 52, for allegedly stealing over $8,000 from a nonprofit that maintains snowmobile trails in the Adirondacks. Daley, the president of the Snowdrifters of Stratford, was also accused of falsifying business records to fraudulently secure $40,000 in state grant money for the organization.

"Chad Daley allegedly violated the trust of club members and his community to serve his own ends," said DiNapoli. "I thank Fulton County District Attorney Mike Poulin and the New York State Police for their partnership in ensuring justice is served."

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, "This arrest is the culmination of a wide-range investigation that uncovered a dishonest act by someone who used their position to take advantage of others. I thank the Comptroller's Office and the Fulton County District Attorney's Office for their committed partnership. We have zero tolerance for those who break the law to enrich themselves at the expense of the community."

The Snowdrifters of Stratford receives funding from New York state and Fulton County. Daley has been the organization's president for more than 10 years.

From late 2018 through 2023, Daley allegedly stole $4,155 in checks made payable to the "Snowdrifters Club" by depositing them into his own personal bank account. He also wrote a $3,500 Snowdrifters' check to cash, which was endorsed and cashed by his longtime partner.

Daley also allegedly made cash withdrawals from the Snowdrifters' bank account without authorization or a corresponding purchase order. He took advantage of the Snowdrifters' tax-exempt status to purchase snowmobiles and trailers using the organization's funds while registering the vehicles to himself. Daley used some of the stolen funds to make at least one deposit on a snowmobile for personal use and to pay for his everyday living expenses.

In addition, Daley allegedly made misrepresentations on the trail maintenance logs to unlawfully obtain $40,000 in grant funding from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Daley was arrested and issued a desk appearance ticket on charges of grand larceny in the third degree, offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree and falsifying business records in the second degree. He will be arraigned in Stratford Town Court on Dec. 3.

The charges filed in this case are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by filing a complaint online at [email protected], or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.