Insider Theft Hits Two Volunteer Departments

Posted by: Curt Varone September 4, 2012 1 Comment

Two fire departments in opposite ends of the country are in the headlines today with the same problem: insider theft.

In New York, Glenn Kramer, 37, formerly the fire chief of the Hughsonville Fire District is due in Fishkill Town Court on September 19, 2012  on two felony charges of first-degree falsifying business records. He is charged with using another firefighter’s personal identification number to buy gasoline for personal use with the HFD’s credit card.

While the two transactions were for small amounts, $33.61 and $23.51, the district alleges he has misused taxpayer funds over 100 times in the past three years. Kramer was allegedly caught on surveillance video making the purchases.

More on the story.

In California, former Fire Chief Randall Allan Nickley of Columbia Fire Protection District has been arrested for embezzlement of funds from the Columbia Fire Protection District. Prosecutors claim the chief ran the small department with no oversight.

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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