Estranged wife of Sept. 11 responder accused of stealing check from charity

A 9/11 first responder claims his estranged wife stole a check made out to him by a charity.

News 12 Staff

Aug 14, 2019, 9:20 PM

Updated 1,941 days ago

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A 9/11 first responder claims his estranged wife stole a check made out to him by a charity.
Peter Meehan, a retired NYPD detective sergeant, says Donna Meehan, also a retired NYPD officer, stole a $2,500 check made out to him from a 9/11 charity.
The Bethpage man, who is battling Lou Gehrig's disease and a variety of 9/11-related medical issues, says the signature on the back of the check isn't even his.
"You wouldn't do that to a stranger, let alone to someone you profess to love," Peter Meehan says. "It's unconscionable."
According to court paperwork, Donna Meehan is accused of taking the check and depositing it into a personal account at Bethpage Federal Credit Unit.
Her attorney, David Besso, says that his client had power of attorney privileges for her husband and was never told that they had been revolved. Besso says Donna Meehan never stole any money from Peter.
"She deposited it into a joint account, which is legal and paid his bills," Besso said. "So I don't understand what the gripe is. He just wanted to vex her and cause her more misery than he has in the past."
Donna Meehan was arrested and arraigned last weekend. She faces charges of grand larceny and possession of a forged instrument.
Donna Meehan is due back in court at the end of the month. Her attorney says she plans to sue the county, her husband and the detectives involved.