Watch CBS News

Former Treasurer Accused Of Stealing $1.6 Million From Long Island EMS Company

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey man is accused of stealing $1.6 million over a seven-year period from a volunteer EMS company on Long Island.

Prosecutors allege Brad Reiter, 50, of Jackson, had been pocketing money from Bellmore-Merrick EMS between March 2008 and this past March, when he was fired.

It is estimated he took about $230,000 a year, Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas told reporters.

"To be swindled by someone like this is really offensive, considering the work that they were doing, and also criminal," Singas said.

Reiter, a husband and father of two, hid the money in bank accounts in New Jersey and Nassau County, Singas said. He allegedly used it on lawn services and security system services, as well as to pay off credit card and insurance bills, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.

Former Treasurer Accused Of Stealing $1.6 Million From Long Island EMS Company

Singas called it a "selfish crime that betrayed the trust of so many."

Reiter was the treasurer of the organization, but a new treasurer noticed the money missing when he was appointed in January and called authorities, Singas said.

"We are stunned by this betrayal of trust that was uncovered by our organization," the company said in a statement. "We appreciate the DA's work to bring him to justice."

Former Treasurer Accused Of Stealing $1.6 Million From Long Island EMS Company

The ambulance company, which responds to about 800 calls a year, said it has recovered a portion of the missing funds.

"Our standard of care and ability to serve the community has not been diminished," the company said.

Bellmore and Merrick residents were shocked by the allegations.

"It kind of screws over the people who are actually volunteering instead of embezzling, so that's sad," one resident said.

"It is shocking that you think a facility like this is supposed to help people, especially when they need medical emergencies, that they're going to be ripped off," said Joseph Pokorny, of Bellmore.

"Every month we get a request from them for donations," one man told CBS2's Jennifer McLogan. "And I feel bad. Now, I don't feel so bad I don't give so much."

"No one's going to want to donate if it's going into someone's pocket for selfish reasons," another resident said.

In a statement, however, Bellmore-Merrick EMS said only a small portion of the funds that Reiter allegedly stole came from a donation account.

"According to the DA, the vast majority of the $1.6 million was insurance payments made to Bellmore Merrick for providing services," the statement said. "A small portion of the diverted monies allegedly were from a donations account; the majority of funds donated to BMEMS were untouched."

Reiter, who once boasted of rushing to ground zero and helping people after 9/11, was arrested Tuesday morning and was expected to be arraigned on one count of grand larceny in the first degree, 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reported. He has surrendered his passport.

Reiter's mother and attorney proclaimed his innocence.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.