Ex-fire chief accused of spending $8K in department funds personally

PULASKI TOWNSHIP, Pa. — According to police, a former Pulaski Township volunteer fire chief is under investigation.

Channel 11’s Timyka Artist reported that Richard Morrell is under investigation for allegedly using funds from the department for his own purposes.

According to the criminal complaint, Morrell spent $7,290 at Sunoco buying gas for personal vehicles, $487 at a hardware store and $223 at a Sprint store for a personal cellphone.

New Brighton police said they opened an investigation after volunteers uncovered bookkeeping irregularities over a five-year period.

Kelly Bonner said she feels betrayed by her former boss, who was let go in 2011.

“It’s not right. They work hard and deserve a lot more than that,” Bonner said.

Morrell is facing charges of theft and failure to make required disposition of funds.

WPXI