Illinois Firefighter Charged with Theft from Fire Association

An Illinois firefighter has been charged with stealing over $40,000 from a firefighters’ association that he served as treasurer for. John A. Kuhl, 54, has been charged with stealing the money from the McHenry Firefighters Association.

The charges were brought by the McHenry Police Department, following a complaint by the association after some discrepancies were discovered in their finances. The thefts occurred between April 2019 and September 2021.

Kuhl stands charged with Class 2 felony theft and Class 4 felony use of a debit card with the intent to defraud. He has been placed on unpaid administrative leave from the McHenry Township Fire Protection District, where he is a part-time firefighter/paramedic. The association and the district are separate entities.

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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