Pa. Chief accused of theft

July 07--The Allenport Volunteer Fire Department chief was arrested on Friday, accused of stealing more than $13,000 from the organization.

Victor Anthony Fedrick, 42, of 4 Center St., Allenport, was charged with 159 felony theft-related counts by the Roscoe, Elco, Stockdale, Allenport, or RESA, regional police department.

The alleged thefts occurred in 2010 and 2011, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed at the Charleroi office of District Judge Larry Hopkins.

According to the affidavit, Officer-in-Charge Mark Stewart and Officer Al Marcy said RESA was contacted by members of the fire department about "discrepancies" in the department's bank account at Mon Valley Federal Credit Union in Allenport.

A police investigation determined that from May 5, 2010, through Dec. 6, 2010, Fedrick and his wife, Traci Fedrick, withdrew about $9,210 from the bank account, the affidavit said. None of the money was used for fire department business, police said.

Traci Fedrick is the fire company's president. Victor Fedrick has been with the fire department since 2004.

Police said that two signatures were needed to withdraw money from the account.

In addition, a fuel card issued through Guttman Oil Co. for fuel for fire department vehicles was used 81 times from Jan. 4, 2011, through Oct. 31, 2011, to purchase gasoline at outlets in Speers, Rostraver and West Mifflin.

Police said the purchases were for gasoline totaling almost $4,300, but fire department vehicles use diesel fuel.

Fedrick is charged with 26 counts each of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy to commit theft, and 81 counts of access-device fraud.

Traci Fedrick is listed as a co-defendant on the affidavit, but she has not been charged. Stewart said police expect to file more charges next week.

Victor Fedrick was arraigned by Hopkins and placed in Washington County Correctional Facility in lieu of $75,000 bond. He faces a preliminary hearing before Hopkins at 11 a.m. July 16.

The charges come at a time when the small fire department is struggling financially.

Last year, officials from the Stockdale and Allenport fire departments discussed a merger, but Allenport firefighters decided to try increasing membership.

Stockdale fire Chief Tom Wilkinson said Friday that his department has approved a merger with Allenport,

"We have all the paperwork, so now we're waiting for Allenport (firefighters) to approve it," Wilkinson said.

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