MANVILLE: Former fire company treasurer charged

   The former treasurer of a Manville fire company has been charged with official misconduct in the second degree, according to the Somerset County prosecutor’s office.
   Todd Regazzini, 41, of Clinton Avenue was arrested and charged April 27, following an investigation that began in August 2010.
   Mr. Regazzini is accused of using a Lowe’s credit card belonging to the fire company to purchase items for his personal use. Also, he was accused of keeping a $500 bank gift card for his own use that was given to the fire company by the Manville Fire Department Auxiliary, according to a press release from the prosecutor’s office.
   Manville police began an investigation in 2010 after receiving information about the possible misuse of funds by Mr. Regazzini, the press statement said. Mr. Regazzini was treasurer of Manville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 at the time, according to the statement.
   Mr. Regazzini allegedly used the company’s Lowe’s credit card to purchase a $299 barbecue grill and $19.94 bird feeder for personal use. The purchases were made without proper fire department authorization, the statement said.
   Police invesigation also learned that Mr. Regazzini had been given the bank gift card to hold for the fire company, but when he was relieved of his duties as treasurer he failed to return the card. The statement said that the investigation found Mr. Regazzini had allegedly used the card for personal purchases.
   On April 27 Mr. Regazzini turned himself in to the Somerset County prosecutor’s office. Superior Court Judge Angela F. Borkowski set bail at $25,000 with a 10 percent option. Mr. Regazzini was held in the Somerset County Jail.
   Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano said that the investigation, conducted by the Special Investigation Unit of the county prosecutor’s office and the Manville Police Department, is continuing.