South Country School Monitor Charged with Stealing Union Funds

A former monitor with the South Country School District has been arrested for alledgedly stealing more than $20,000 from the Bellport Teachers Association Affiliates when she was the union’s treasurer.

Fannie Bowe, 54, of Bellport, was arrested by District Attorney Raymond Tierney’s office for misusing her union-issued debit card to make unauthorized personal purchases and withdrawals. “This defendant is alleged to have violated the trust of her colleagues, the hard-working educational professionals of the South Country Central School District,” Tierney said.

As uncovered in Tierney’s investigation, Bowe was elected as treasurer of the Bellport Teachers Association Affiliates in 2020. Between July 2021 to January 2023, the school monitor allegedly repeatedly misused her union-issued debit credit card over an 18-month period, to make more than $2,500 in unauthorized purchases and $18,000 in unauthorized ATM withdrawals. She also allegedly submitted multiple false treasurer reports to the Bellport Teachers Association Affiliates executive board to conceal and disguise her unlawful conduct. Bowe’s misuse was discovered after union officials noticed and questioned expenses on reports she submitted to the Union.

The Bellport Teachers Association Affiliates is a local union for Teachers Assistants and School Aides employed by the South Country Central School District, and its funding is generated by member dues.

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“One of Suffolk County’s greatest assets is its outstanding educational system, and my office is committed to prosecuting those who would seek to unlawfully profit by stealing from any entity that contributes to the system,” the district attorney said.

Bowe was arraigned before District Court Judge Bernard Cheng for the charges of one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony; and two counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, Class E felonies. She faces two and one third to seven years in prison if convicted.

Judge Cheng ordered the defendant released on her own recognizance. She is being represented by the Legal Aid Society. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Katharine D’Aquila of the Public Corruption Bureau with the investigative assistance from Suffolk County District Attorney Investigator Brian Wood of the Public Corruption Squad, according to Tierney.