Mark Woods term as treasurer ended in December.

Dunkirk’s longtime city treasurer is facing charges tied to an alleged theft of more than $120,000.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt announced the indictment and arrest of Mark Woods for public corruption, grand larceny and false filing charges stemming from his alleged theft of over $120,000 from the city and covering up the theft by falsifying city records.

“As Dunkirk’s severe financial troubles escalated, Mr. Woods allegedly betrayed his community and public duty by allegedly scheming to steal over $120,000 in public money he was sworn to safeguard,” said DiNapoli. “Any abuse of office by a public official is intolerable, but to steal public funds while resident taxes rise to cover financial shortfalls is particularly appalling. Thanks to my partnership with District Attorney Schmidt, he will now be held accountable for his reprehensible conduct.”

Last March, the office was close due to an investigation. Dunkirk Police reported on its Facebook page that it was closed from “the direction of the State Comptroller’s Office, the Dunkirk Police Department and the Mayor’s Office assisted the District Attorney’s Office in the execution of a Grand Jury subpoena directing the City of Dunkirk Treasurer’s Office be secured. All further inquiries will be directed to the State Comptroller’s Office.”

Caution tape and a closed sign was placed on the door to the office at the time.

“The indictment unsealed earlier today is our second aimed at recovering monies which we allege were stolen from the city by public officials entrusted with the hard-earned tax dollars of its residents, many of whom are retired blue collar workers who supported our local factories and manufacturing plants through tough economic times, bought their first and only homes here, raised their families here, and retired here where they continue to live and support Dunkirk. They are the backbone of our community, people on fixed incomes barely scraping by who ask nothing more of their elected and appointed officials than to competently and honestly do the jobs they were hired to do,” said Schmidt. “As it relates to this and the other case moving through our criminal justice system, that sacred responsibility included properly handling and safeguarding the precious few dollars of Dunkirk’s citizenry, and certainly not to steal those monies as we have alleged. Wherever and whenever possible – and, unfortunately, it’s not always possible – we will follow the paper trail, find what was stolen, and do our absolute very best to recover what we can and hold those who breach the public trust accountable for their criminal conduct.”

“My office’s reforms were the direct catalyst for uncovering suspected criminal activity within the Treasurer’s office. By requiring shared access to financial records, enforcing multi-layered review, and rejecting outdated practices, my administration exposed irregularities that had previously been concealed. These findings were immediately referred to the appropriate authorities, leading to the investigation, indictment, and arrest of Mr. Woods,” said Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz.

As city treasurer, Woods was responsible for collecting and recording monies paid to the city and remitting funds to entities such as the Dunkirk School District. In March 2025, school district officials observed irregularities in payments and that Woods deposited non-school tax payments, checks for water, sewer and other taxes, into the district’s accounts and had been for months. The school district contacted Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz who referred the matter to District Attorney Schmidt, who then partnered with State Comptroller DiNapoli’s office to investigate the matter.