The former manager of the North Patchogue Fire District has been accused of spending more than $5,000 of taxpayer funds on clothing, sneakers and his cell phone bill.
John Drews pleaded not guilty Wednesday at Suffolk County court to charges of grand larceny, defrauding the government and official misconduct.
Prosecutors said the 46-year-old Sound Beach man used a district-issued credit card to make the purchases while he was in charge of supervising paid employees, maintaining property and purchasing firematic equipment.
Drews had worked for the district for a decade until he resigned in December 2013.
He was released without bail.
