Ex-Falls Fire Company President Guilty Of Stealing $34K

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA — The former president of Falls Township Fire Company No. 1 will spend three years on probation after pleading guilty to stealing more than $34,000 from the department.

Chrisopher J. Carlin, 48, pleaded Wednesday to a charge of misdemeanor theft. He also has paid back the more than $34,000 he stole, according to the Bucks County District Attorney's office.

According to the charges against him, Carlin stole fire company funds through unauthorized cash withdrawals and by using fire company credit cards to make a number of personal purchases. At his hearing this week, Carlin repaid the full $34,896.59.

He expressed remorse for his crime, prosecutors say, and told Judge James M. McMaster he was having personal money troubles when he decided to steal the money. McMaster ordered him to have no contact with the fire company and to hold no positions of trust with nonprofit groups.

He also must complete 175 hours of community service.

"Although a primary goal was to ensure that the fire company was made whole, the defendant’s conviction and sentence also ensures that he will never again be in a position to betray the trust of a volunteer organization," said Deputy District Attorney Marc J. Furber.

Carlin was arrested earlier this year along with Gary N. Margerum, a fellow former president of the fire company. Together, the two men stole roughly $46,000 from the department between 2013 and 2017. During that time, Carlin served as company treasurer, then president.

Among the things they're accused of spending company money on is renting a beach house in New Jersey.

Margerum, 61, served as president from 2009-2016. He is scheduled to appear in court next year on charges of stealing more than $11,000.

Photos courtesy Bucks County District Attorney's office