By Pamela Sroka-Holzmann
The Express-Times
BATH, Pa. — The former chief of the Klecknersville Rangers Fire Company is accused of stealing more than $47,000 from the department.
Jon Mann, 46, of Moore Township, is charged with felony theft and felony receiving stolen property, authorities say. Gary Asteak , the Easton-based defense attorney representing Mann, told lehighvalleylive.com he planned to comment later Friday.
It’s unclear how long Mann served the fire company; representatives of the Klecknersville Rangers Fire Company didn’t immediately return a request for information and comment.
In October 2023, Moore Township police began investigating the alleged theft of $47,642 from the fire company, based on Mountain View Drive in the township. An investigation determined Mann was linking a personal debit card to the fire company’s debit card and using the funds for personal use and withdrawals, court records state.
Mann allegedly admitted to investigators that he bought a bulldozer in July 2023 for personal use with some of the funds. Additionally, Mann is accused of making other personal purchases at an area hardware store and the fire company sent a check paying for the amount. Mann asked the fire company’s treasurer to reimburse him for purchases, but never provided receipts, court records state.
Klecknersville Rangers’ treasurer provided investigators with spreadsheets and receipts of cash amounts allegedly stolen by Mann. Mann is accused of cashing checks made out to him following purchases at various other chain hardware stores. Those transactions, police said, were not authorized by Klecknersville Rangers Fire Company.
On Jan. 22 and Feb. 5 , Mann and his attorney met with investigators at the Moore Township police station. He allegedly admitted to cashing numerous checks and using his debit card for purchases at the chain hardware stores, as well as withdrawing cash on multiple occasions without permission from the fire company.
Mann was arraigned Thursday before District Judge Robert A. Hawke, who set bail at $50,000 unsecured. He is due back in court for a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled for 3:15 p.m. on March 28 before Hawke. The judge will determine if there’s sufficient evidence to send the case onto Northampton County Court of Common Pleas.
The Klecknersville Rangers Volunteer Fire Company was founded in 1962, serving Moore Township and Chapman Borough with fire, ambulance and fire police protection, 24 hours, 7 days a week. The fire company is a combination of volunteer and paid staff, according to its website. It’s now overseen by Chief John Hofacker, the website states.
—
©2024 Advance Local Media LLC.
Visit lehighvalleylive.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.