By Andrew Martins
Staff Writer
JACKSON – A forensic audit into the financial security of Jackson Fire District No. 3 showed no signs of fraudulent activity following the arrest of former fire commissioner Brad Reiter, who has been charged with stealing $1.6 million from an EMS squad in Bellmore, N.Y.
Attorney Joseph Youssouf, who represents Jackson Fire District No. 3, said the audit was authorized shortly after Reiter was taken into custody in Nassau County, N.Y.
“We wanted to make sure the public was reassured there was no chance of fire district funds being involved in any nefarious activity,” Youssouf said. “We had already had our annual audit done … but in order to eliminate any suspicion, we felt it was worth the time, money and effort” to conduct another audit.
According to the audit, which was conducted by Holman, Frenia & Allison, of Toms River, a closer examination of the fire district’s financial statements between March 7, 2014 and Oct. 5, 2015 was conducted to cover the period when Reiter served as a fire commissioner.
The firm examined the fire district’s finances and Kevin Frenia, of the firm, reported that representatives of the firm interviewed a number of people, including fire commissioners Dan Bradley and Steve Gibson, fire district administrator Dawn Hode, fire district accountant Cheryl Parker, Fire Chief Tim Carson and fire district audit manager Lauren Holman, of Holman, Frenia & Allison.
The focus of those interviews, according to Frenia, was to determine whether Reiter had access to fire district funds, to learn about the fire district’s financial controls and to establish how involved Reiter was in the fire district’s operations or whether any staff members observed anything suspicious.
Although the firm reported that there could be improvements made to the fire district’s fixed assets inventory system, the final result of the audit showed there were no irregular transactions during the time period that was examined.
“I think (the audit) was a responsible thing for the board to do,” Youssouf said. “We have in place financial controls that were not in place” at the Bellmore-Merrick EMS squad on Long Island.
Nassau County officials have alleged that Reiter used the Bellmore-Merrick squad’s funds to pay for personal expenses. He was arrested on Sept. 29 and charged with grand larceny for his alleged role in the thefts between early 2008 and March 2015. If convicted, Reiter could face a prison term of up to 25 years.
Nassau County Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas said Reiter, of Jackson, was serving as the president and treasurer of the Bellmore-Merrick volunteer emergency medical services organization at the time he allegedly stole the money.
Although Reiter had served with the Bellmore-Merrick EMS unit since 1997, officials said he relocated to Jackson in recent years. The squad’s members are not required to live on Long Island. Reiter was eventually fired from the organization.
The Jackson Fire District No. 3 Board of Fire Commissioners accepted Reiter’s resignation as a fire commissioner on Oct. 19. Fire District No. 3 covers the northeast portion of Jackson and is served by Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1.
