Former PA Cop Sent to Prison for Stealing from FF's Fund

A former Allentown police officer will be going to state prison for stealing money from a firefighter’s relief fund.

Corey Cole Jr. was sentenced Wednesday morning by Northampton County President Judge Michael Koury. Cole received a total of 22 months to 10 years in state prison, followed by five years of probation.

Cole’s sentence, broken down, consisted of eight months to five years for access device fraud, and 14 months to five years for theft by unlawful taking, the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

Cole, 44, of East Allen Township, pleaded guilty in May to stealing about $315,000 from the Lehigh Township Fireman’s Relief Association.

This came after he ended his fight to receive a pension from Allentown. He was a city police officer from 2000 to 2018 and would have received $47,000 yearly in a pension.

Cole initially pleaded guilty in January 2020, but withdrew the plea that November to appeal the city’s denial of the pension. Allentown said he was ineligible for the pension because he stole the money while serving as an officer.

A former treasurer of the fireman’s relief association, Cole wrote more than $221,000 in checks to benefit himself, spent nearly $74,000 using the association’s bank card, and created nearly $20,000 of false invoices, authorities said. Police said Cole spent the money on online shopping, dining out and entertainment.

Morning Call reporter Evan Jones can be reached at [email protected].

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