RICHLAND TOWNSHIP, CAMBRIA COUNTY--- Richland Township Detectives charged Jason Ober Wednesday morning. The assistant fire chief is accused of writing checks to himself with the department's money.
Detective Tom Keirn said the 35-year old wrote two checks, one to himself for $12,000 from the departments treasurer, the other to his wife Adrianna for $12,000 in December 2007. It was for a 'utility truck' the Richland Fire Department agreed to buy.
"The department paid double for a vehicle and they were unaware of it," said Keirn.
Keirn said in all Ober took $24,000 but that could rise, the investigation is on going.
"The problem was this check was written no one realized it had happened and the audit is what brought everything to the attention of the current administration," said Keirn.
Ober was arraigned and released on ROR, this was not his first run in with the law. Online court documents show he was arrested and pleaded guilty to simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment charges back in 2010.
Ober is listed on the fire departments website as one of its assistant chiefs, but WTAJ News has learned he has not been active in the department for about a year. Chief Bureau Reporter Danielle Krout went to Ober's home in Richland Township for comment on the charges, he said 'no,' and shut the blinds.
Detective Tom Keirn said the 35-year old wrote two checks, one to himself for $12,000 from the departments treasurer, the other to his wife Adrianna for $12,000 in December 2007. It was for a 'utility truck' the Richland Fire Department agreed to buy.
"The department paid double for a vehicle and they were unaware of it," said Keirn.
Keirn said in all Ober took $24,000 but that could rise, the investigation is on going.
"The problem was this check was written no one realized it had happened and the audit is what brought everything to the attention of the current administration," said Keirn.
Ober was arraigned and released on ROR, this was not his first run in with the law. Online court documents show he was arrested and pleaded guilty to simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment charges back in 2010.
Ober is listed on the fire departments website as one of its assistant chiefs, but WTAJ News has learned he has not been active in the department for about a year. Chief Bureau Reporter Danielle Krout went to Ober's home in Richland Township for comment on the charges, he said 'no,' and shut the blinds.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.