A Fort Edward man is accused of stealing nearly $32,000 from the Albany Rural Cemetery while working as the manager.

David M. Eslinger, 58, allegedly issued nine duplicate salary payments for a total of $15,001.12 from the period of March 2022 through May 2023, according to Colonie Town Court documents. He also used an American Express credit card issued for the cemetery to make $16,973 worth of personal purchases from January 2002 through September 2023, court documents said.

Eslinger was charged with two felony counts of third-degree larceny.

A warrant was issued for Eslinger’s arrest on April 9. He was picked up by Glens Falls Police on May 1 and he was turned over to Colonie Police to be transported to Albany County Jail.

NewsChannel 13 has reached out to Albany Rural Cemetery for comment. We have not heard back yet.

The cemetery in Menands is located off Route 32. It was incorporated in 1841 and “one of the oldest and grandest examples of the rural or garden cemetery movement in Amerca,” according to its website.  

The Times Union, which was first to report the story, said that Eslinger gave himself raises without board approval and cashed out more than a year’s worth of vacation time. He had worked for the cemetery since 2020 and was manger since 2021. He was suspended when the alleged fraud was detected in and fired the following month.