Akron Firefighters’ Treasurer Pleads Guilty to Stealing $500k From Union

Posted by: Curt Varone January 30, 2018 0

The former treasurer for Akron Firefighters, IAFF Local 330, has pled guilty to stealing $500,000 from the local. Joseph Ruhlin, 41, pled to charges of theft in office and records tampering.

The thefts occurred between January 2011 and March 2017. Once the theft was discovered, Ruhlin fled Ohio and was arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is scheduled to be sentenced following a restitution hearing on March 13, 2018.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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