Pocono News Section

Man Arrested for Stealing $66,000 from Dupont F.D.

Man Arrested for Stealing $66,000 from Dupont F.D. - Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 8:00PM EST

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009 @ 08:00pm EST
DUPONT, LUZERNE COUNTY -- He was trusted with the money from a volunteer fire company, but now he admits to gambling much of the cash away.

The I-Team first reported the investigation at the Dupont Volunteer Fire Company last summer. Wednesday an arrest was made in the case.

State police charged 31-year-old John Lyons of Avoca with theft. He admits to stealing some $66,000 from the Dupont Volunteer Fire Company. Lyons was treasurer of the fire company and was in charge of the Relief Association account.

The I-Team learned about the theft back in August. We were told that Dupont police were contacted by fire department officials, when they found discrepancies and forged checks in their bank accounts.

The state police and state Auditor General's office took over the investigation. Lyons admits he used the cash to pay off personal debt and to gamble. Most of the cash was gambled away at area casinos.

Lyons has been a volunteer firefighter with Dupont since 1996. He is free on bail.