Volunteer Firefighter Charged With Public Records Violation

Posted by: Curt Varone March 12, 2024 0

A volunteer firefighter in New York is facing criminal charges for allegedly giving himself and family members credit for emergency responses they did not go to. James P. Burns, 27, is accused of entering false information into Cutchogue Fire Department’s electronic record-keeping system on September 30, 2023.

According to the North Fork Patch, Burns made 96 false entries into 55 reports that resulted in himself and three family members getting credit for responding when they did not. The attendance information is used by the department for members qualifications under the Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP).

The charges against Burns include a Class-D felony (first degree tampering with public records), and official misconduct (a misdemeanor). The North Fork Patch quoted Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney as saying:

  • These allegations evince a lack of integrity that is not representative of the brave men and women who volunteer to serve as firefighters in towns across Suffolk County.
  • Our residents deserve honest government at all levels, and my office will continue to seek out and prosecute violations of the public trust.

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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