Montgomery County, NY (WRGB) — A former executive director of the Fulton-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce has been arrested and accused of stealing more than $440,000 from the organization, according to state and local officials.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Montgomery County District Attorney Christina Pearson, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrest of MaryBeth Shults for reportedly stealing $440,351 from the chamber.

Officials said Shults’ actions first came to light when she attempted to purchase a $160,000 home with Chamber of Commerce funds, prompting a joint investigation by DiNapoli’s office, New York State Police and the Montgomery County District Attorney.

A forensic examination of the chamber’s accounts found that, in addition to the attempted home purchase, Shults reportedly embezzled more than $440,000 starting almost immediately after she was appointed executive director in June 2025. Officials said she had access to the chamber’s bank accounts and reportedly wrote checks to herself, made unauthorized cash withdrawals, and paid for high-priced items including a $57,000 down payment on a pickup truck. Officials also said she spent $220,000 on personal farm equipment, a snowmobile and furniture.

DiNapoli said,

Instead of helping small businesses grow and thrive in her community, Shults allegedly helped herself to $440,351 to fund her lifestyle. My thanks to Montgomery County DA Pearson and State Police Superintendent James for their partnership in rooting out the misuse of public funds.

Montgomery County District Attorney Christina Pearson said,

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office takes matters of public trust and misuse of public funding very seriously. We thank the New York State Comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli and his professional staff members and the members of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation for their diligence in conducting this investigation, which led to the arrest of MaryBeth Shults for three felony level charges.

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said,

Cases like this represent a serious breach of trust and undermine the integrity of organizations that serve and support local communities. The New York State Police will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of financial crimes and hold individuals accountable when they exploit positions of authority for personal gain.

Shults was terminated in early March of this year when the reported crimes came to light.

The Fulton-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce receives funding from Montgomery County, Fulton County, other local municipalities and state grants, officials said.

Shults was charged with second-degree grand larceny, first-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, and first-degree falsifying business records. She was arraigned before Judge Wayne Moratta in the Town of Amsterdam Town Court and is scheduled to appear back in court May 5.