Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announced that 55 year old Geary H. Murray of 7200 Michael Road, Orchard Park, pleaded guilty as charged to Grand Larceny in the Third Degree before Erie County Court Judge Thomas P. Franczyk. This is the highest charge for which the defendant could have been convicted had he gone to trial.

Murray, a teacher employed by the Buffalo School District, admitted that between July 19, 2011 and August 1, 2012, he stole $25,789 from a friend who entrusted him to handle his finances while that friend was undergoing medical treatment for severe anxiety. That anxiety, in turn, was principally caused by the victim’s efforts to provide, financially and otherwise, for his disabled son. In other words, Murray took advantage of both his hospitalized friend and his friend’s disabled son.  Murray made approximately 144 unauthorized ATM withdrawals from the victim’s bank account which was used to pay for a trip to New York City and other personal expenses. Murray remains employed as a Buffalo school teacher.

Murray faces a maximum prison sentence of 7 years when he is sentenced by Judge Franczyk on September 19, 2013 at 9:30 a.m.  The case was successfully prosecuted by ADA Susan H. Sadinsky, who is assigned to DA Sedita’s Special Investigations & Prosecutions Bureau.