Camden Firefighter Convicted of Pension Fraud

A Camden firefighter who claimed to be disabled has been found guilty of second-degree theft by deception by a Camden County jury.

Shane B. Streater, 41, claimed that job related back and neck injuries prevented him from continuing to work as a firefighter in Camden. In 2009, a doctor agreed he was totally and permanently disabled but denied the condition was work related. Streater was awarded a non-work related (ordinary) disability pension of 40% of his salary.

Streater appealed that award seeking an accidental disability pension of 60%. During the course of that appeal it was learned that he had been teaching jujitsu and fighting competitively. The 40% disability was revoked and Streater was charged with stealing $82,488 in benefits.

According to Attorney General Robert Lougy, “His ploy to steal pension benefits was a slap in the face of the honest firefighters and officers who continue to serve the public bravely and who are counting on that pension fund for their retirement.”

Streater faces 5 to 10 years in prison and up to a $150,000 fine. More on the story.