PA Chief Gets Probation and Restitution for Theft

A former Pennsylvania fire chief has been given 12 months of probation and must make full restitution for stealing $4,359 from his fire department.

William “Bubba” Benecke, who served as fire chief for the Sharon Hill Fire Company, was able to qualify for the state’s “Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition” program because he was a “non-violent first offender”. According to the Daily Times, Benecke has already made restitution for the funds he stole.

The Daily Times quoted from a joint statement issued by Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun Copeland and Sharon Hill Police Chief Richard Herron Jr. that “Mr. Benecke knowingly stole from the taxpayers of Sharon Hill Borough to pay for his own personal expenses, breaching the trust of the very individuals he was appointed to serve and taking advantage of his position of authority”.

Benecke reportedly used fire company credit/debit cards to make 15 cash withdrawals, and five unauthorized purchases. More on the story.