HUDSON – Former Village of Chatham Police Chief Peter Volkmann was sentenced Monday to pay $92,829 in restitution and perform 200 hours of community service for defrauding the state pension system by concealing his unlawful post-retirement public income and for stealing from the village through sham requests for reimbursement.
The fraud was uncovered during a joint investigation by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s Office, Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka and the State Police.
“Mr. Volkmann stole funds from the citizens he was sworn to protect and serve as police chief in the Village of Chatham,” said Czajka. “In doing so, he undermined much of the good he did in helping and providing assistance to so many suffering from addiction.”
The 57-year-old former chief from Stuyvesant has made full restitution, the DA said.
Columbia County Court Judge Richard Koweek also sentenced Volkmann to two years of conditional discharge and ordered that 100 hours of the 200 in community service he was sentenced to be done by July 2022.
