JACKSON – A former Jackson fire commissioner has pleaded guilty to charges of grand larceny in connection with his theft of approximately $1.6 million from the Bellmore-Merrick EMS squad in New York.
Brad Reiter, 50, was arrested by Nassau County detectives in September 2015. Authorities alleged the thefts from the emergency medical services squad took place between early 2008 and March 2015. Reiter is a former treasurer and president of the organization.
Following his guilty plea on April 6, Reiter received a sentencing commitment of two to six years in prison from Acting Supreme Court Justice Jerald Carter. He initially faced a prison term of up to 25 years prior to reaching a plea deal with prosecutors, according to Nassau County law enforcement officials, who said Reiter also reached a restitution settlement agreement with the Bellmore-Merrick EMS.
Reiter is due to be sentenced on June 29.
In Jackson, Reiter was elected as a fire commissioner in Jackson Fire District No. 3 in February 2014. He resigned from the Board of Fire Commissioners on Oct. 19, 2015. According to an audit conducted earlier this year by the firm of Holman, Frenia and Allison, the fire district’s financial statements between March 7, 2014 and Oct. 5, 2015 showed no signs of fraudulent activity.
Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas alleged that Reiter used the stolen funds to pay for personal expenses such as credit card bills, insurance bills, lawn care costs and security system services.
Reiter “admitted to stealing more than $1 million from a volunteer- and donor-based organization responsible for delivering lifesaving care to thousands of Long Islanders,” Singas said. “I am grateful to the EMS leaders who brought this case to my office so we could hold the defendant accountable and help bring justice to the organization and its members.”
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.
