Authorities say several men and women betrayed the public trust and cost Bensalem Township taxpayers well over $1 million dollars in a widespread theft scheme engineered by school district managers and employees with help from outside business owners.
"They said find what's bad, get it out of my building and that's what we did," said Township Public Safety Director Frederick Harran.
"People thought they were completely bullet proof and could do what they wanted with public resources," said Bucks Co. District Attorney David Heckler.
The year long, two pronged investigation found ghost employees who never showed up for work, managers who looked the other way and workers who got paid anyway.
Then there was over $500,000 in theft from the school district's bus garage, including buses, vans, tires, batteries and other equipment, which went on for 10 years, allegedly masterminded by former lead mechanic Fred Lange.
"You don't come to work for a couple years or you're stealing equipment out the front door and selling it for profit out the back door I have a problem with that," Harran told FOX 29.
Jack Myers was the lead defendant in the case, he's recently retired as the school district business manager.
"My client vehemently and vociferously denies all these charges," defense attorney Tom Kenny said.
Township taxpayer Liz Bourne was incensed by the corruption charges.
"I don't think we should pay any taxes now until that million dollars is back," she said.
Investigators say school grounds employees Joseph Dyer, his wife Shannon and Anthony Ruggiero were the three ghost employees. One never showed up for almost three years, another for almost two, which cost taxpayers over $200,000 in salaries, overtime and benefits.
"After all the evidence has been presented, we believe he'll be exonerated," said Ruggiero's defense attorney Tony Sean Page.
"Don't they ever check the budget, don't they look at anything," Bourne added.
The stolen equipment and vehicles were sold to members of what the defendants called the "breakfast club" and the "classic car club." The defendants were ordered to return to court March 26 for a preliminary hearing. Some were released on bail.
Several of the school employees resigned or were fired.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:04:25 GMT
Veteran narcotics officer Jeff Walker was part of some of Philadelphia's most celebrated drug raids including a huge marijuana bust that netted $1.5 million dollars in pot. Now Walker finds himself on
Veteran narcotics officer Jeff Walker was part of some of Philadelphia's most celebrated drug raids including a huge marijuana bust that netted $1.5 million dollars in pot. Now Walker finds himself on
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:01:25 GMT
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:23 GMT
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries.
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries here and make their getaway.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 7:13 PM EDT2013-05-15 23:13:23 GMT
These Crime Scene Investigators have processed thousands of gruesome crime scenes over their careers, but what they saw inside Doctor Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010 was a nightmare.
These Crime Scene Investigators have processed thousands of gruesome crime scenes over their careers, but what they saw inside Doctor Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010 was a nightmare.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:37 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:37:26 GMT
The volunteer effort in Oklahoma is underway. Groups from across the country have hit the road, delivering hot meals to anyone in need. One local organization is doing what they can to help the victims
The volunteer effort in Oklahoma is underway. Groups from across the country have hit the road, delivering hot meals to anyone in need. One local organization is doing what they can to help the victims
Friday, May 24 2013 7:29 AM EDT2013-05-24 11:29:02 GMT
Our World War II veterans have seen some of the farthest reaches of the globe. One sight they haven't seen: The World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
From the beaches of Normandy to the islands of Okinawa, our World War II veterans have seen some of the farthest reaches of the globe. One sight they haven't seen: The World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:25 AM EDT2013-05-24 11:25:17 GMT
This most-recent season of "American Idol" is still rousing passions in some households. Police say this Pennsylvania couple got into a knife fight over who should win the finale.
This most-recent season of "American Idol" is still rousing passions in some households. Police say this Pennsylvania couple got into a knife fight over who should win the finale.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:54 AM EDT2013-05-24 09:54:05 GMT
Not the prettiest Friday, but we're ready for a great weekend. Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. After an early high in the upper sixties, temperatures fall & winds pick up out of the chillier northwest. Right now the Memorial Day Weekend looks sunny and cool with highs in the low to mid 60s on Saturday, in the 70s Sunday & Monday. Cooler temps at the shore.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:27 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:27:11 GMT
The Boy Scouts of America throws open its ranks to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders - a compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.
The Boy Scouts of America throws open its ranks to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders - a fiercely contested compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:10:26 GMT
"If I die please take me to Heaven not to Hell." After a near death experience 12-year-old Ibn Anderson showed us how he got down on one knee and prayed for his life. Bandages hide the bullet wounds from
"If I die please take me to Heaven not to Hell." After a near death experience 12-year-old Ibn Anderson showed us how he got down on one knee and prayed for his life. Bandages hide the bullet wounds from
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:25:16 GMT
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
WTXF-TV 330 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106-2796
Investigators say there was over $500,000 in theft from the school district's bus garage, including buses, vans, tires, batteries and other equipment.
