A Westtown woman in charge of an Orange County preschool’s finances has been arrested and accused of misusing the business’s credit to purchase $40,000 in luxury items for herself.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that 39-year-old Marianne DeBlock, the chief financial officer of Field of Dreams Preschool in New Hampton, was charged with grand larceny.
Officials say DeBlock, formerly known as Marianne Weymer and Marianne McCarthy, made multiple unauthorized credit card transactions from October 2021 to February 2023 to purchase vacations and luxury goods and to pay for personal expenses.
“This arrest sends a clear message that financial crimes, especially those that exploit position positions of trust, will not be tolerated in our county,” says Sheriff Paul Arteta. “I commend our investigators and the Orange County White Collar Crimes Task Force for their dedication and hard work in bringing this case to light.”
News 12 first reported on the Field of Dreams Preschool in October 2021 when Orange County officials accused unnamed owners of misusing special education funds to buy luxury items, including a Mercedes-Benz. At the time, officials alleged they owed $2.4 million in overpaid funds after abruptly shutting down and closing their special education program, and officials said an Orange County Supreme Court judge ordered the preschool to uphold its state contract and provide its financial records.
According to Orange County Attorney Rick Golden, the county since entered into a repayment agreement with the preschool to recoup what was discovered to be state directed overpayments and the business agreed to remain open to provide contracted services to children and families.
The sheriff’s office says DeBlock’s recent arrest is not tied to a prior investigation or legal action.
The preschool has not returned our inquiry for more information.
DeBlock was released on an appearance ticket to return to Wawayanda Town Court.
