A former union treasurer and school monitor with the South Country School District pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny after making more than $20,000 in unauthorized purchases and withdrawals while serving as treasurer of the Bellport Teachers Association Affiliates Union.
Fannie Bowe, 54, of Bellport, served as treasurer of the Bellport Teachers Association Affiliates since October 2020, while also being employed as a School Monitor for the South Country Central School District. Between July 2021 and January 2023, Bowe repeatedly misused her union-issued debit credit card over an 18-month period, to make more than $2,500 in unauthorized purchases and $18,000 in unauthorized ATM withdrawals.
She also submitted multiple false treasurer reports to the Bellport Teachers Association Affiliates executive board to conceal and disguise her unlawful conduct. Bowe’s misuse was uncovered after union officials noticed and questioned expenses on reports she submitted to the union.
The Bellport Teachers Association Affiliates is a local union for teaching assistants and school aides employed by the South Country Central School District, and its funding is generated by member dues.
On December 6, 2023, Bowe pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Judge Richard Ambro to one count of third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony. She is scheduled to be sentenced on December 5, 2024.
“Being elected as treasurer is of high honor in which your colleagues entrust you to uphold the integrity of their organization,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “This defendant took advantage of that trust for her own selfish reasons. We will continue to pursue any individual who thinks that they can get away with stealing funds from hard-working employees.”