Former Hollidaysburg Firefighter Charged With Embezzling Federal Grant Money

[mr.d 6,741]

Local firefighter charged with embezzling federal grant money from recruitment program

LOCAL NEWS

by: Rian Bossler

Posted: Sep 25, 2020 / 12:38 PM EDT / Updated: Sep 25, 2020 / 12:52 PM EDT

 

BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A former Hollidaysburg Volunteer Fire Department firefighter has been charged with embezzling more than $1.5 million from a local firefighter recruitment program.

According to reports, Benjamin Rhine of Duncansville had embezzled federally-funded grant money through FEMA that had been provided to the Allegheny Mountain Firefighter Initiative for training volunteer firefighters as well as equipment to volunteer fire companies in Blair and neighboring counties.

Rhine had served as Grant Coordinator at the Firefighter Initiative for four years where there were 1,000 applications and 300 newly trained volunteers. The spokesman for the program told WTAJ in 2017 that the program was a success and 15 of the 30 departments involved were able to meet or exceed their goal of adding at least 10 new members.

The fire company’s president, David Zeek said Rhine was no longer with the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department when the crimes were committed.

Rhine allegedly embezzled the funds from April of 2013 to June of 2017 as well as reported no taxable income to the IRS on his tax returns for three years. He now reportedly owes over $300,000 in income taxes.

The federal government has charged the former firefighter with one count of misappropriation of federal funds and three other counts of embezzled income. Rhine appeared in federal court Friday morning where he submitted a guilty plea.                                                                                                                        SEE VIDEO REPORT     ;     https://www.wearecentralpa.com/news/local-news/local-firefighter-charged-with-embezzling-federal-grant-money-from-recruitment-program/

[Keyser Soze 3,545]

Sounds like the  5 million dollar grant program had little oversight. 

Just wondering if the guy faked the numbers about how many new firefighters joined. 

 

Allegheny Mountain Firefighter Initiative reaches goal of 300 trained firefighters   

https://www.firerescue1.com/firefighter-training/articles/allegheny-mountain-firefighter-initiative-reaches-goal-of-300-trained-firefighters-dmo3aNCkgMUSnrcS/

[JimmyPete 729]

I wondered what happened to the other 700 applicants?  

[hipower 4,859]

It's amazing how often we see reports of cases like this.  We are often too trusting when it comes to those who handle our public and association funds.