A volunteer fire captain embezzled about $100,000 from his department and a firefighter relief association fund, Bergen County authorities said Friday. Robert Daubenberger misappropriated more than $48,000 from the Elmwood Park Volunteer Fire Department Defender Company No. 2’s accounts and $50,000 from the borough’s Fireman’s Relief Association’s accounts, according to officials.
The volunteer was treasurer for both entities and used the pilfered funds for “personal expenses,” Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said in a statement.
The 57-year-old borough resident surrendered to county investigators to face charges of theft by deception, falsifying records and forgery. Officials said fire officials discovered the missing money in April and alerted police.
“We're thankful that the command staff immediately brought the situation to our attention so we were able to stop this individual before he could cause more financial damage to our Fire Department,” Borough Administrator and Police Chief Michael Foligno said.
Elmwood Park reportedly spent $185,000 in battling a massive January blaze that destroyed the iconic Marcal paper plant though officials believed insurance would cover those costs.
Borough officials also issued stipends to volunteer firefighters and medical crews who worked for days at the scene through frigid weather.
Noah Cohen may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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