Another Allenport fire company official charged
Just days after her husband was charged, the Allenport Fire Department president was accused Wednesday of robbing the volunteer organization.
Police allege Traci Lynn Fedrick and Chief Victor Fedrick took $13,476.46 from the fire department over a nine-month period.
Traci Lynn Fedrick, 38, of 4 Center St., Allenport, was charged with 81 counts each of access device fraud and criminal conspiracy to commit fraud, and 26 counts each of theft by unlawful taking or disposition and receiving stolen property.
She was arraigned after turning herself in at the Charleroi office of Magisterial District Judge Larry Hopkins.
Hopkins set bail at $75,000 straight cash, which she posted after being transported to the Washington County Correctional Facility.
Her attorney, Alan Benyak, said he "did not appreciate" bond being set so high, claiming it is a tool designed to guarantee attendance at preliminary hearings.
"The purpose of bond is not to punish the person prior to the preliminary hearing or conviction," Benyak said.
Victor Fedrick remains in the county jail in lieu of $75,000 bond.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, RESA police were contacted by fire department members about discrepancies in the department's account at the Mon Valley Federal Credit Union in Allenport.
Police claim that from May 5, 2010, through Dec. 6, 2010, Traci and Victor Fedrick withdrew about $9,210 from the account.
Police said they learned two signatures were needed to withdraw money from the account and that the Fedricks' signatures were used on each of the withdrawals.
The affidavit stated that none of the cash withdrawn was used for fire company business.
In addition, a fuel card issued through Guttman Oil Co. for fire department vehicles was used 81 times from Jan. 4, 2011, through Oct. 31, 2011, at a convenience center at 147 Pennsylvania Ave., Speers, the GetGo, 4285 Route 51, Rostraver Township, and another unnamed business on Lebanon Road in West Mifflin. The total of the purchases was $4,266.46, according to the affidavit.
According to the affidavit, the purchases were for gasoline. Fire department vehicles use diesel fuel.
Benyak said that investigation never involved his client or her husband.
"Why the rush to file charges?" Benyak said. "I don't know how thorough the investigation was, because they never interviewed the Fedricks. They were not given the chance to tell their story."
Traci Fedrick entered a not guilty plea.
"She's been a first responder since before she was 18," Benyak said. "She's not going to ruin her life for $9,000. She's a very popular person in the Valley, especially in the five-town area."
