POTSDAM, NY — New York State Police on Monday charged a recreation director with grand larceny and official misconduct after he allegedly withheld village funds for more than seven months.
Trey T. Smutz, 39, of Potsdam, was charged with grand larceny in the third degree and official misconduct.
State police were contacted Dec. 19, 2024, by the Potsdam Police Department regarding a theft investigation involving Smutz, who was serving as the Village of Potsdam recreation director at the time.
An investigation conducted by state police and the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office determined that Smutz withheld village funds while acting in his official capacity.
The investigation revealed that Smutz collected money from village events but failed to turn over the funds to be deposited in the village account, resulting in no cash being deposited for over seven months.
During questioning regarding the whereabouts of the funds, Smutz escorted village administrators to his personal vehicle, where he was found to be in possession of several envelopes of cash belonging to the Village of Potsdam.
Smutz was arrested and processed at State Police Canton.
He was arraigned in the Town of Norfolk Court and released on his own recognizance.
