The former president of Greenwood Hose Company 1 and Moosic borough councilman is charged with stealing $395,811.11 from the volunteer fire department, state police said.
William Sweeney, 36, of Moosic, is charged with one count of theft by unlawful taking. He was arraigned this morning before Carbondale Magisterial District Judge Sean McGraw.
A preliminary hearing has been set for April 29 at 10:30 a.m. in Lackawanna County Court.
State police discovered missing funds and forged checks after an investigation stretching back to Feb. 20.
Moosic police first learned of the incident in February after being alerted by the fire company's current leadership that their general account contained inconsistent numbers. Moosic police handed the case over to state police and the Lackawanna County district attorney's office.
Deputy District Attorney Shane Scanlon said fire company officials discovered a "large check" made out to Mr. Sweeney. Over the course of the investigation that followed, law enforcement discovered he wrote several large checks out to himself out of the company's general account by forging the signature of the person required to sign off on them.
Mr. Sweeney is also a member of Moosic Borough Council, borough manager Jane Sterling said.
For the most part, Moosic borough officials declined comment.
Council president Joseph Mercatili did not want to comment at length on the charges, but said Mr. Sweeney has been a "great man for the community."
"He is innocent until proven guilty," Mr. Mercatili said.
Company solicitor Chris Powell also declined comment, except for saying that the fire company is saddened, though this was not unexpected.
Ms. Sterling said her heart is heavy, but declined to comment further.
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