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Pocono News Section
Newton Ransom Fire Department Theft
Newton Ransom Fire Department Theft - Friday, February 27, 2009 at 5:26PM EST
Police say Frederick Summerhill stole 54 thousand four hundred dollars from the Newton Ransom volunteer fire company.
He turned himself in Friday at the Lackawanna County courthouse.
From November 2006 until last October, police say Summerhill forged and wrote 96 checks to himself.
The money came from company funds.
William Birks of Newton Township says he’s surprised because he calls the company top notch.
"They do a lot. They help people, fundraisers, all sorts of great things. I could go on and on about it, that's why I'm shocked quite frankly," says Birks.
Summerhill was the treasurer of the company's relief association.
That part of the company deals with state funds given to help buy equipment and more.
A state audit revealed the missing association funds.
Summerhill's attorney David Morgan says police might not have a solid case.
"From what I've understood from my client that during the course of time the evidence will develop such that he will be found to be not guilty," says Morgan.
But Morgan wouldn't specifically say how that will happen.
Summerhill is technically still a member of the fire company.
Right now he's free on bail waiting for his next court date.
It's not clear how Summerhill spent all that money.
Court papers only say he deposited the money into his own bank account. | | |
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