New Jersey AG Seeks Forfeiture of Vehicles

Posted by: Curt Varone April 10, 2013 0

The Attorney General for the State of New Jersey has filed suit to recover two SUVs allegedly purchased with funds stolen by the treasurer of a volunteer fire department.

The strange story began last February when State Police charged Lisa Ayers, 39, with stealing more than $75,000 from the Mine Hill Volunteer Fire Department. The thefts are believed to have occurred over the past two years while Ayers served as treasurer.

The investigation revealed that stolen funds were used in part to finance two SUVs, one registered to Ayers and the other registered to her husband, who at the time was Mine Hill’s fire chief. State Police seized the vehicles when they arrested Ayers.

No charges have been brought against Chief Ayers, who subsequently resigned. The AG’s suit was filed today in Superior Court in Morristown. It asks the court to order the forfeiture of the Ayers’ interest in both vehicles

The Daily Record is reporting that among things that Ayer’s did was obtain an unauthorized $44,000 mortgage on the fire station, pay her own personal bills with fire department funds, and write department checks payable to cash.

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.
© Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved. | FireLawBlog.com & Curt Varone | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
x

Check Also

LODD Families Sue Baltimore

The families of three Baltimore firefighters who died in a 2022 building fire have filed suit claiming the city’s failure to catalog and mark structurally compromised buildings caused their deaths. Lieutenant Paul Butrim, FF Kenneth Lacayo, and FF Kelsey Sadler were killed, and FF John McMaster was seriously injured in the January 24, 2022.

Pink Collar Theft in Pennsylvania VFD

The treasurer of a volunteer fire department in Pennsylvania is facing criminal charges for stealing over $90,000 from the department. Patricia Susan Tuttle, 41, has been charged with forgery and theft by unlawful taking following a lengthy investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police.