Ex-Malverne FD Official Stole $30K In Department Funds: Prosecutors

MINEOLA, NY — A former treasurer of the Malverne Fire Department was arraigned Thursday on corruption charges for allegedly stealing more than $30,000 of department funds, prosecutors said.

Richard Bopp, 45, is accused of fraudulently writing and cashing checks to himself and using the department's debit card to make ATM withdrawals, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.

He faces felony charges of third-degree corrupting the government, third-degree grand larceny, second-degree forgery and first-degree falsifying business records.

"Richard Bopp served for more than five years in high-ranking positions in the Malverne Fire Department and in 2021, allegedly began using his standing and access to steal government funds," Donnelly said. "Bopp allegedly forged signatures, wrote himself checks and made dozens of debit card transactions and ATM withdrawals in locations like Las Vegas and Atlantic City totaling more than $30,000. The Malverne Fire Department depends on these resources to serve the surrounding community and respond in a crisis. This defendant’s alleged actions siphoned precious funds away from that essential objective."

Bopp pleaded not guilty and was released to pre-trial services.

If convicted, Bopp faces a maximum of 2-1/3 to 7 years in prison. He is due back in court on February 16.