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Embezzlement Trial Ordered For Former Upper Gwynedd Fire Official

By Brad Segall

UPPER GWYNEDD, Pa. (CBS) -- A former fire department official in Montgomery County has been ordered to stand trial on charges that he stole nearly a quarter of a million dollars while he was the company's treasurer for more than two decades.

Prosecutors believe they have a solid case against Ken Nolan, who waived his preliminary hearing on theft and related charges.  The 62-year-old Skippack man was the former treasurer for the Upper Gwynedd Fire Company and spent more than 20 years as the township fire marshal.

Prosecutor Noah Marlier says Nolan stole the money by writing cash advances to himself and using two fire company credit cards.  In doing so, Marlier says, Nolan compromised fire safety:

"This money that he took could have been spent on the firefighters that are putting themselves at risk every day, that are on the front lines, that are saving lines -- that's what they are tasked to do."

Marlier says the money was spent on lavish vacations, tickets to sporting events, jewelry, and his daughter's wedding (see related story).

Defense attorney Tim Woodward says Nolan confessed to what he did and is deeply remorseful, but would not offer an explanation for what happened.

 

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