Former Yonkers fire union treasurer gets probation in $97,000 theft

A former treasurer for a Yonkers fire union will serve no jail time for stealing $97,000 from its general fund, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Former fire Lt. Kai Irwin was sentenced to five years’ probation in Westchester County Court in White Plains, after the judge acknowledged his betrayal of his fellow firefighters.

“These officers trusted you to work and operate in their best interest,” acting state Supreme Court Justice Richard Molea said before sentencing. “You violated that trust and you violated that bond of loyalty that all firefighters must have.”

Molea also acknowledged Irwin’s attempt to make amends since his arrest a year ago. Irwin has repaid the full amount, plus investigatory fees and pledged to pay any other fees, such as tax penalties, connected to his theft, according to his lawyer, Anthony Piscionere. He’s also resigned his position as a firefighter.

“You have expressed remorse and acknowledged the gravity of your betrayal by resigning. I find that significant,” Molea said.

Irwin, a Yonkers resident, pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny in August. The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison.

Irwin was secretary-treasurer of Yonkers' Uniformed Fire Officers Association from Aug. 1, 2007, to Sept. 30, 2008. His theft was uncovered when the union began auditing its books in December 2010 to account for $100,000 that appeared to be missing.

Irwin had signatory authority for the fund and stole the money through counter withdrawals, debit-card withdrawals and ATM withdrawals without the permission of the union or its membership, authorities said.

Irwin had to step down as treasurer in the summer of 2010 during the city's budget crisis, when several firefighters were demoted. The treasurer who succeeded him could not ascertain the location of the funds, and the union hired a forensic accountant to unravel what the union's president at the time called “sloppy bookkeeping.”

Prosecutors had recommended a state prison sentence for Irwin, who declined an opportunity by the judge to make a statement at sentencing.