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BY KRISTIN DAVIS
The Virginian-Pilot (Virginia)
DUCK, Va. — A former town of Duck fire chief has been charged with obtaining property by false pretenses, a felony, amid suspicions that he had misrepresented his job history, police Chief Dale Hamilton said at a news conference Tuesday.
The town is seeking to recover $28,500 — what the former fire chief received in salary and benefits during his nearly four months of employment.
A Dare County grand jury indicted John Mascaro on Thursday , and he was arrested Tuesday, Hamilton said. Hamilton said bail was being arranged.
Mascaro served as the town’s fire chief from Oct. 5 until Jan. 24.
Town Manager Christopher Layton dismissed the chief during his probationary period, a six-month window that allows “us to make sure the person is a good fit,” Layton said during the news conference. “We didn’t feel like he was fitting in with the town, and I think he would agree with me.”
A few days before the dismissal, town officials became suspicious of Mascaro’s job history, Layton said.
Layton said other circumstances led to the decision to fire Mascaro, but officials followed up on what they suspected were inconsistencies in his background.
“We believe there was a misrepresentation of employment background in statements made and documents sent to the town,” Hamilton said.
Layton said that recovering the salary and benefits could come as restitution if there is a conviction or it could become a civil matter.
Mascaro moved with his wife and child to Dare County from Olympia Gardens, Ill., where he worked as fire chief of the Olympia Gardens Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years.
The town of Duck hired Mascaro after a nationwide search that drew 30 applicants, Layton said. Mascaro was interviewed by a four-person panel that included Layton, Hamilton and two members of the Duck fire department.
The town conducted criminal and financial background checks on Mascaro before offering him the position as fire chief, Layton said. “We checked his references,” he said. “There were no red flags.
“If convicted, there will be a red flag for any other potential employer,” Layton said. “We have a responsibility to try to recover funds obtained under false pretenses.”
Mascaro was hired at a starting salary of $61,000 a year.
He replaced Duck Fire Chief John Brock, who resigned in July.
Mascaro, who lives in Kitty Hawk, did not return a telephone call Tuesday seeking comment.
THE ISSUE
John Mascaro is accused of misrepresenting his job history during the application process.
Mascaro was Duck’s fire chief from Oct. 5 until Jan. 24.
THE MONEY
The town of Duck is seeking to recover $28,500 – what the former fire chief received in salary and benefits during his nearly four months of employment.