A former fire marshal and emergency coordinator who served as treasurer for the Upper Gwynedd Township Fire Company was arrested for allegedly stealing $250,000 from the department.
Ronald Kenneth "Ken" Nolan was arrested Friday when he turned himself into police following a detailed investigation.
Nolan is accused of stealing a quarter of a million dollars over the course of six years -- from 2006 until 2012, although he served as treasurer for 24.
Investigators say that Nolan took $116,000 in cash from the nonprofit fire company's bank accounts and the rest of the stolen funds were linked to two department credit cards that Nolan used to buy trips to Miami, Reno, Jamaica and 15 trips to Vegas. He's accused of buying those Vegas trips for his daughter's wedding guests.
He also used fire company money to purchase jewelry, computers and other luxuries, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman.
NBC10's Deanna Dureante says that some of the stolen funds were taxpayer's money, although how much has not been determined.
Nolan was voted out as treasurer in December 2012. It was then that the new treasurer began to look into the department's finances. He quickly discovered inconsistencies and alerted the proper authorities who have been investigating Mr. Nolan since last summer.
The firefighter was arraigned earlier this morning. He facing a variety of theft charges.
Photo Credit: Montgomery County District Attorney's Office