PORT TREVORTON — Felony forgery and theft charges have been filed against the former Port Trevorton Fire Department treasurer for stealing nearly $5,000 from the agency.
Robert J. Hassinger, 55, of 94 Buck Run Drive, Port Trevorton, is accused of withdrawing cash from two department savings account and the Fireman’s Relief account on three occasions — April 12, 2010, May 24, 2010 and last April 1 — and electronically paying a personal cell phone and television bill from one of the accounts for a total loss of $4,865, court records said.
In an attempt to conceal his use of department funds to pay his own bills, Hassinger allegedly forged the name of Fire Chief Douglas Lauver on a $1,600 check and deposited into the savings account he used to pay the bills, court records said.
State police at Selinsgrove said Hassinger, who served as the Union Township, Snyder County fire department’s treasurer for five years before resigning last month, admitted the forgery and thefts in a May 6 interview.
Hassinger is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing later this month before District Judge John T. Robinson on felony charges of forgery, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.
There have been similar thefts from volunteer fire departments in recent years.
In May, a Danville woman was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $2 million in restitution for embezzling more than $3 million from American Hose Fire Company in Mount Carmel, where she served as chairwoman.
In March 2009, a Mifflinburg woman was sentenced to repay $37,757 and serve 84 months on probation for stealing from the West End Fire Company where she served as treasurer.
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Ex-treasurer charged with forgery, theft
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