JACKSON – A local board of fire commissioners will operate with one less member until its next election in February following the resignation of one commissioner.
The Jackson Fire District No. 3 Board of Fire Commissioners formally accepted the resignation of Brad Reiter, 50, without comment during its meeting on Oct. 19.
Attorney Joseph Youssouf, who represents the fire district, said Reiter resigned at the behest of himself and his fellow commissioners.
“The advice he received from me on behalf of the board was that it would not be a good position to be in to be subject to a criminal indictment while holding public office and trying to conduct business,” Youssouf said. “[Reiter’s] presence and continued activity on the board would be subject to criticism and suspicion.”
Reiter was elected as a fire commissioner in February 2014. Fire District No. 3 is served by the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1.
Reiter’s resignation from the board came several weeks after detectives in Nassau County, N.Y., announced his arrest and his alleged involvement in the theft of $1.6 million from the Bellmore-Merrick EMS squad in Bellmore, N.Y.
Nassau County Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas said Reiter was serving as the president and treasurer of the Bellmore- Merrick volunteer emergency medical services organization at the time he allegedly stole the money from early 2008 to March 2015.
Nassau County officials said Reiter allegedly used the squad’s funds to pay for personal expenses such as credit card bills, insurance bills, lawn care costs and security system services.
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 EMS organization.
Reiter could face a prison term of between eight-and-one-third years and 25 years if he is convicted of the crimes of which he has been accused.
In light of the charges against Reiter on Long Island, Youssouf said the Jackson Fire District No. 3 fire commissioners authorized a forensic audit of the district’s bank accounts dating back to when Reiter joined the board.
“We are confident that no money was taken inappropriately because we have an audit prepared every year and we have a bookkeeper on staff,” the attorney said.
In order for anyone to receive reimbursement from the fire district, Youssouf said, each check must be signed by at least three commissioners and is only issued upon the receipt and review of valid vouchers.
“We had our audit completed before this unfortunate event occurred and the auditors found nothing out of place,” he said. “We are satisfied that our finances are in good shape and secure, but an extra ounce of protection to reassure the public is probably worth it.”
The board will operate with four commissioners. The commissioners chose to leave the seat formerly held by Reiter vacant until the February election.