Chad Daley, the former president of the Snowdrifters of Stratford, has pleaded guilty to stealing $17,000 from the snowmobile club and agreed to pay full restitution to the nonprofit.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Fulton County District Attorney Mike Poulin and New York State Police Superintendent Steven James announced the plea agreement Wednesday.

Daley, 52, pleaded guilty to petit larceny in Stratford Town Court before Judge Nicholas Rissmeyer and paid full restitution to the club as part of an agreement.

Daley was the president of the Snowdrifters of Stratford for more than a decade. The nonprofit receives funding from the state and Fulton County to maintain snowmobile trails in the Adirondacks.

Authorities say Daley embezzled money over the course of multiple years that he used for his personal expenses and to buy a snowmobile for himself.

“Chad Daley abused his position to enrich himself with funds meant to support his community,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “Any violation of the public’s trust for personal gain is unacceptable. Thanks to our partnership with District Attorney Poulin and the New York State Police in this case, Mr. Daley has been held accountable for his crimes.”

Authorities say Daley deposited $5,300 in checks made payable to the “Snowdrifters Club” into his personal bank account from late 2018 through 2023. He also transferred more than $3,000 from the club’s account to his personal account and wrote a $3,500 Snowdrifters’ check to cash.

Additionally, Daley withdrew more than $5,000 from the Snowdrifters’ bank account without authorization or a corresponding purchase order. He also took advantage of the club’s tax-exempt status to buy snowmobiles and trailers using the nonprofit’s funds, but registered the vehicles to himself.

“I commend our state police members, the State Comptroller’s Office and Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for their rigorous work on this case. This individual abused the position he was entrusted in, taking thousands of dollars that were meant to keep snowmobile trails and the community safe. We have zero tolerance for those who seek to defraud others and put the unsuspecting public in harm’s way,” James said in a statement.

Daley was originally charged last fall with third-degree grand larceny, first-degree offering a false instrument for filing and second-degree falsifying business records.

Attorney Joe Sise, who represented Daley, declined comment when reached by phone. The Snowdrifters of Stratford did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment Wednesday.

STRATFORD — Chad Daley, who is accused of allegedly stealing more than $8,000 from a Fulton County snowmobile club that he led for almost a de…

STRATFORD — State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Fulton County District Attorney Michael Poulin announced the arrest of 52-year-old Chad Dale…

Reach Ashley Onyon at aonyon@dailygazette.net.

Winn Construction workers prepare a footing for the Towsend Street bridge in Johnstown........

© The Leader Herald