Authorities say several men and women betrayed the public trust and cost Bensalem Township taxpayers well over $1 million dollars in a widespread theft scheme engineered by school district managers and employees with help from outside business owners.
"They said find what's bad, get it out of my building and that's what we did," said Township Public Safety Director Frederick Harran.
"People thought they were completely bullet proof and could do what they wanted with public resources," said Bucks Co. District Attorney David Heckler.
The year long, two pronged investigation found ghost employees who never showed up for work, managers who looked the other way and workers who got paid anyway.
Then there was over $500,000 in theft from the school district's bus garage, including buses, vans, tires, batteries and other equipment, which went on for 10 years, allegedly masterminded by former lead mechanic Fred Lange.
"You don't come to work for a couple years or you're stealing equipment out the front door and selling it for profit out the back door I have a problem with that," Harran told FOX 29.
Jack Myers was the lead defendant in the case, he's recently retired as the school district business manager.
"My client vehemently and vociferously denies all these charges," defense attorney Tom Kenny said.
Township taxpayer Liz Bourne was incensed by the corruption charges.
"I don't think we should pay any taxes now until that million dollars is back," she said.
Investigators say school grounds employees Joseph Dyer, his wife Shannon and Anthony Ruggiero were the three ghost employees. One never showed up for almost three years, another for almost two, which cost taxpayers over $200,000 in salaries, overtime and benefits.
"After all the evidence has been presented, we believe he'll be exonerated," said Ruggiero's defense attorney Tony Sean Page.
"Don't they ever check the budget, don't they look at anything," Bourne added.
The stolen equipment and vehicles were sold to members of what the defendants called the "breakfast club" and the "classic car club." The defendants were ordered to return to court March 26 for a preliminary hearing. Some were released on bail.
Several of the school employees resigned or were fired.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:04:25 GMT
Veteran narcotics officer Jeff Walker was part of some of Philadelphia's most celebrated drug raids including a huge marijuana bust that netted $1.5 million dollars in pot. Now Walker finds himself on
Veteran narcotics officer Jeff Walker was part of some of Philadelphia's most celebrated drug raids including a huge marijuana bust that netted $1.5 million dollars in pot. Now Walker finds himself on
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:01:25 GMT
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:23 GMT
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries.
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries here and make their getaway.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 7:13 PM EDT2013-05-15 23:13:23 GMT
These Crime Scene Investigators have processed thousands of gruesome crime scenes over their careers, but what they saw inside Doctor Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010 was a nightmare.
These Crime Scene Investigators have processed thousands of gruesome crime scenes over their careers, but what they saw inside Doctor Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010 was a nightmare.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-05-15 20:54:35 GMT
"Kermit Gosnell at some point became a monster." District Attorney Seth Williams shot straight from the hip as he spoke for the first time since abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell was found guilty this
"Kermit Gosnell at some point became a monster." District Attorney Seth Williams shot straight from the hip as he spoke for the first time since abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell was found guilty this
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:35 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:35:48 GMT
To the everyday on-looker, Lacey Barchart is just your average young girl.She likes playing with her stuffed animals and her friends. But, she sees the world just a bit differently than one might guess.
Brave little Lacey lives a normal life, but there is more to her than what meets the eye.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:36 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:36:20 GMT
Rapper-producer Sean "Diddy" Combs has paid a marketing visit to Pennsylvania's capital city. Combs visited with Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board officials on Wednesday to promote a
Rapper-producer Sean "Diddy" Combs has paid a marketing visit to Pennsylvania's capital city. Combs visited with Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board officials on Wednesday to promote a
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:19 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:19:45 GMT
Firefighters are at the scene of an apartment building fire in Allentown where authorities say one person has been found dead, but his death is believed to be unrelated to the blaze.
Firefighters are at the scene of an apartment building fire in Allentown where authorities say one person has been found dead, but his death is believed to be unrelated to the blaze.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:06 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:06:41 GMT
You ordered Grey Goose but got Popov? An undercover sting busts dozens of bars accused of serving you bottom shelf booze at top shelf prices, and one major chain was caught up in the bar boondoggle.
You ordered Grey Goose but got Popov? An undercover sting busts dozens of bars accused of serving you bottom shelf booze at top shelf prices, and one major chain was caught up in the bar boondoggle.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:55 AM EDT2013-05-23 09:55:21 GMT
Today's weather? Cloudy, muggy, and eventually, stormy. If you get a strong to severe storm, it would probably be lat afternoon and evening. Highs in the upper 70s. Some of the storms will produce locally heavy rain and gusty winds.
This system is from the same cold front that caused the midwest tornadoes. It will also usher in cooler air for the holiday weekend.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:39 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:39:12 GMT
The volunteer effort in Oklahoma is underway. Groups from across the country have hit the road, delivering hot meals to anyone in need. One local organization is doing what they can to help the victims
The volunteer effort in Oklahoma is underway. Groups from across the country have hit the road, delivering hot meals to anyone in need. One local organization is doing what they can to help the victims
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:04:25 GMT
Veteran narcotics officer Jeff Walker was part of some of Philadelphia's most celebrated drug raids including a huge marijuana bust that netted $1.5 million dollars in pot. Now Walker finds himself on
Veteran narcotics officer Jeff Walker was part of some of Philadelphia's most celebrated drug raids including a huge marijuana bust that netted $1.5 million dollars in pot. Now Walker finds himself on
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Investigators say there was over $500,000 in theft from the school district's bus garage, including buses, vans, tires, batteries and other equipment.
