Court date is set for ex-treasurer

The township refused to continue its contract with the firefighters' association.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A pretrial hearing is scheduled Feb. 27 for the former treasurer of the defunct Gustavus Volunteer Firefighters' Association, accused of failing to deposit nearly $7,000 from the association between Jan. 1, 2002, and June 30, 2004.
Tangi Day-Kopp, 44, of 475 York St., North Bloomfield, pleaded innocent late last month to theft in office and tampering with records, both felonies, and was released on $2,500 cash or surety bond. Day-Kopp faces up to 6 1/2 years in prison if convicted.
Early last month, the state auditor's office issued a finding for recovery of $6,955 against Day-Kopp and the firefighters' association after a special audit of the association's finances.
The association was a nonprofit group that contracted with the township trustees to provide fire protection.
Township Trustee Robert S. Phillips said last month that after discrepancies came to light, the township refused to continue its contract with the association and the township took over firefighting responsibilities.
The largest of three findings is for $5,794. According to the audit, Day-Kopp did not deposit this amount into the association's bank account. Much of the money was from firefighters' fund-raising events.
Other discrepancies
Also, according to the audit requested by the county prosecutor's office, the association purchased 20 jackets for the volunteers from Western Reserve Computer Stitch, Cortland. The total cost was $1,526.
Association records showed that Day-Kopp paid $1,800 for the jackets. The company received its $1,526, and the former treasurer is responsible for the difference of $274, the audit showed.
The third finding is for $887. The audit found that Day-Kopp issued a check for $1,000 to pay for used fire equipment. Of that amount, there were receipts for $113 for the purchases, and the balance, or $887, could not be accounted for by the township or association.
Phillips said the irregularities were first noticed by township Clerk Laura Hall and were taken to the sheriff's department and then to the prosecutor.
The association was funded by revenue from a 2.8-mill levy and fund-raising events.
Township voters overwhelmingly renewed the levy in the Nov. 8 general election. Phillips said there aren't many fund-raisers now.
runyan@vindy.com