Jul 2, 2009 12:51 pm US/Central
Ex-Lieutenant Sentenced For Scamming Fire District
ORLAND PARK, Ill. (Sun-Times Media Wire) ―
A former southwest suburban fire lieutenant was sentenced to three years probation Thursday for bilking the department out of more than $190,000 by falsely claiming to be on military duty while actually working overseas as an independent contractor.
Lawrence Masa, 44, apologized before Cook County Judge Thomas Hennelly sentenced him on theft and official misconduct charges.
"I'm truly sorry that this happened," Masa said.
Prosecutors recommended that Masa be sentenced to seven years in prison, saying the former Orland Fire Protection District lieutenant has yet to pay any restitution, court records said.
Between March 2003 and December 2006, Masa collected more than $193,000 from the fire district by falsely telling them he had been called to active military duty, according to prosecutors.
Masa is not on active duty with the Armed Forces and has not been since 1988, when he was in the Army Reserves.
While on leave from the district, Masa worked abroad as an independent contractor for crisis response in South Africa, Pakistan, Nepal, Kenya, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
On five separate occasions, he requested and was granted various paid leaves for the absences, Assistant State's Attorney Diane Ghaster said.
Masa had been employed with the district since 1995.
Orland Park officials at this morning's hearings refused comment.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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