By VDC staff

UPDATE: Jacqueline Higgins has entered a guilty plea to one count of embezzlement of the Tunbridge Fire Department. The court imposed a sentence of one to two years, but she is expected to spend just 12 days in custody unless she violates her probation terms. Her husband has already repaid more than $197,000 to the fire department.

In her statements to investigators, Higgins reportedly attributed her actions to personal credit card debt and alcohol abuse. She had served as the department’s bookkeeper for over 30 years and resigned roughly a month after an internal financial review was launched. The case has attracted considerable community and departmental attention, largely due to the alleged magnitude of the losses and the trust implications after her long period in the role.

The longtime bookkeeper for the Tunbridge Fire Department had been charged with embezzling more than $180,000 from the volunteer department over a 10-year period.

Detective Trooper Mengbei Wang of the Royalton Barracks said the department contacted state police on Aug. 11, after discovering possible financial irregularities. An investigation and review of department financial records revealed that approximately $186,000 had been taken between 2014 and 2025.

Police said Higgins, 63, of Vershire, a former Orange County municipal official, had worked as the department’s bookkeeper since 1994. Investigators said discrepancies were uncovered during an audit, after which Higgins resigned from her position.

Higgins was arrested Wednesday, Nov. 5, and processed at the Berlin Barracks. She was released with a citation.