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Warren County officials are working to recover millions of dollars lost in a fraud scheme. In December 2025, scammers posing as representatives of Peckham Materials Corporation set up a fraudulent payment account, leading to two payments totaling $3.3 million being sent to the account. The fraud was discovered on December 23, 2025, when Peckham Materials contacted the county about unpaid invoices, according to WNYT.
Warren County Sheriff Jim LaFarr confirmed that $1.2 million has been recovered so far. The investigation involves the New York State Police and the U.S. Secret Service. Sheriff LaFarr stated that the fraud could have been prevented with proper safeguards, noting that the county's e-banking policy was not approved until December 19, 2025, just before the fraud occurred.
County Treasurer Christine Norton mentioned that a warning letter from Peckham Materials about potential fraud was not shared with her office, highlighting a communication breakdown. Norton acknowledged that improvements are needed and took accountability for the oversight, as reported by CBS6 Albany.
Authorities have identified a person of interest and continue efforts to recover the remaining funds. The county has allocated $25,000 to hire an outside law firm for an independent investigation into the incident and to review payment procedures.