POUGHKEEPSIE – Former Town of Beekman
comptroller Fred Knapp was sentenced Friday to up to nine years in state
prison for stealing $539,000 from the town.
Knapp had previously pled guilty to two separate felony charges of grand
larceny admitting that he stole $390,000 from the town and another $149,000
from the town’s recreation department.
Both thefts occurred between 2010 and 2013.
“This could not be a more blatant example of violating the public’s
trust,” said Dutchess County District Attorney William Grady. “Knapp’s
conduct is one of the most egregious cases of taxpayer fraud that I have
encountered as district attorney. His prison sentence is well deserved.”
Grady said Knapp stole the money by manipulating the town comptroller’s
books over which he had complete control.
Knapp was sentenced by Rockland County Court Judge Victor Alfieri, Jr.
