JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Johnstown Police (JPD) reported on Tuesday that City Treasurer Thomas Herr was arrested this week as the result of a financial crime investigation. Herr was charged with third-degree grand larceny, first-degree falsifying business records, and official misconduct.
Police launched an investigation after city officials were made aware of a total of $1,576,193 in missed payments by the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) which were due on February 1. The city was fined around $23,600 for the missed payments, according to JPD.
During the investigation, several envelopes containing cash payments to the city submitted by residents were allegedly recovered in the city treasurer’s office. According to police, Herr is accused of altering office records and stealing payment funds for his personal use.
Detectives also determined that numerous official transactions were absent or input improperly into the city’s ledger. Investigators found that over $554,000 in funds across 88 separate transactions were not verified for accuracy or reviewed for required documentation, and that the city’s bank accounts haven’t been reconciled since April 2024.
Herr was released after being charged by Johnstown Police. He’s slated to be arraigned at Johnstown City Court at a later date.
