Portage, IN, Firefighter/Medic Charged with Padding Time Card

VALPARAISO — Police say a now-former Portage firefighter/paramedic submitted fraudulent work hours resulting in him being overpaid by $93,000 over a period of several years.

William Lundy III, 25, of Michigan City, is charged with felony counts of fraud and theft, records show.

The alleged theft came to light in January when a master firefighter reviewing an online government payroll site noticed Lundy's 2024 salary was comparable to those working significantly more overtime hours at the department, according to a charging document.

The fellow firefighter checked the department's work schedule and reportedly verified his suspicion that Lundy did not work the amount of overtime reflected by his pay.

When asked if he aware of the discrepancy, "Lundy III replied the pay seemed normal to him and he hadn't paid attention to it," police said.

Lundy later asked a deputy chief if he was in trouble over the discrepancy and was told only if he had intentionally done something wrong to cause it, according to a charging document.

Police said they learned Lundy had been submitting unauthorized work hours through an app traceable to individual employees.

A further investigation revealed Lundy received unauthorized pay amounting to $16,599 in 2022, $36,404 in 2023, $39,019 in 2024 and $978 in 2025, according to a charging document.

Lundy's employment with the local fire department ended earlier this year, an official said.

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