Ocean County Man Stole $1.6 Million From EMS Squad, Official Says

By RYAN BONNER (Patch National Staff)

A New Jersey man stole approximately $1.6 million from Long Island nonprofit EMS organization over a seven-year period, Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said Tuesday.

Brad Reiter, 50, of Jackson, was arrested by DA investigators Tuesday morning and charged with one count of first degree grand larceny for the alleged theft from Bellmore-Merrick EMS.

Reiter allegedly stole the money between March 2008 and March of this year. He spent the money on credit card and insurance bills, lawn services, security system services and payments to himself, Singas said.

“The volunteers of the Bellmore-Merrick EMS donate their time and skills to offer lifesaving care to their neighbors, and this defendant allegedly stole a staggering $1.6 million that should have gone to support their critically important work,” Singas said in a statement. “I’m grateful that EMS leaders brought this case to my office so that we can hold this defendant accountable for this selfish crime that betrayed the trust of so many.”

The theft was uncovered after new leadership installed at the EMS last January began examining past bank accounts to prepare an annual report, Singas said.

EMS officials found that the amount of money that Reiter reported as having received from insurance companies to pay for ambulance services was far less than the amount that the EMS should have been receiving, Singas said.

EMS officials were able to verify that much more money should have been deposited into the organization’s account by Reiter and they discovered that Reiter had written checks to himself for which there was no explanation, Singas said.

Reiter was terminated by the EMS in March and the case was then referred to the District Attorney’s Office for further investigation.

Reiter is due to be arraigned in Nassau County District Court in Hempstead, N.Y. later Tuesday. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

The Bellmore-Merrick EMS has been serving residents of Bellmore, Merrick, North Bellmore, North Merrick and parts of East Meadow, N.Y. for over 40 years.