NORTHAMPTON — A Rehoboth man pleaded not guilty Friday in Hampshire Superior Court to stealing $130,000 from a fraternity at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Christopher Estes, 52, denied a single charge of larceny greater than $250 after being accused of taking roughly $130,000 from the Alpha Tau Gamma fraternity at 118 Sunset Ave.
First Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Steven Gagne said after court that Estes served as treasurer from 2012 to 2014 for ATG, which is the social fraternity of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture.
“It’s really sad what happened,” said Levi Lilly, 21, who served as ATG president from 2014 to 2016. “It’s kind of a tragic situation and not one that I don’t think anyone wanted to happen. We care about Chris and really do hope for the best.”
Lilly added that positions at the fraternity filled by alumni, such as Estes, are not paid.
Estes was summoned to court for his arraignment Friday and remains free on personal recognizance. Gagne added that Estes does not have a prior criminal record.
When Estes served as the fraternity’s treasurer he had full access to the group’s finances, Gagne said. Estes allegedly wrote checks to himself and withdrew cash from the fraternity’s account for personal use.
Estes’ attorney, Korrina Burnham of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, declined comment Friday. Estes is due back in court Oct. 13.
Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com or 413-585-5234.