02-04-2025
Former Geneva American Legion Post commander accused of stealing $100K
GENEVA, NY — The former commander of the Geneva American Legion Winnek Post 396 who was arrested nearly a year ago has now been indicted on a felony grand larceny charge.
Dale Henry Mosher is charged with one count of second-degree grand larceny, a class C felony, Ontario County District Attorney James Ritts and Assistant District Attorney Kelly Wolford announced Tuesday.
Mosher is scheduled to be arraigned April 17 in Ontario County Court. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison.
Mosher is accused of stealing more than $100,000 from the organization from Jan. 1, 2017, through May 30, 2023.
'Stealing from a service group such as this, our veterans, is something that will not be tolerated and will not go unpunished,' Ritts said. 'There will be accountability."
The arrest last April came after an internal financial audit of the veterans organization and 10-month investigation involving the Ontario County Sheriff's Office.
Wolford said she could not get into specifics on what Mosher spent the money on or how it was taken, but said this was not one theft but lots of little thefts over time.
'It was very clear that it was being used for personal use,' Wolford said.
AJ Fratto, the post's current commander, said funding is 'incredibly crucial' to the organization.
'We live and die by every fish fry, to be honest with you,' said Fratto, referring to one of the organization's fundraisers. 'We're really hoping that people realize and understand how important it is to have something like an American Legion that represents veterans, families, the community and children ... We want to maintain the traditions and it's really difficult to do that when you have people stealing from you, especially your own kind.'
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Dale Henry Mosher indicted on felony theft charge in Ontario County NY
