Jan 3, 2007 7:39 pm US/Central
Firefighter Charged With Duping Employer
Man Charged With Bilking Fire Dept. Out Of More Than $190,000
STNG Wire contributed to this report.
ORLAND PARK (CBS) ―
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Firefighter Lawrence Masa is charged with bilking the Orland Fire Protection District out of more than $190,000.
CBS
An Orland Park fire lieutenant was released from jail Wednesday afternoon after a Cook County judge set bond for the 42-year-old accused of falsely claiming to be on active duty in the military to dupe his employer out of money.
Lawrence Masa of Morris was charged with Class 1 felony theft and official misconduct after he "bilked" the Orland Fire Protection District out of more than $190,000 in salary and benefits for nearly three years, according to a release from the Cook County State's Attorney's office.
Judge Maura Slattery Boyle set a $100,000 bond for Mesa on Wednesday in Central Bond Court. Masa's family posted bail.
CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports that at Larry Masa's Morris home a firefighter's uniform could clearly be seen hanging in the garage.
At the Orland Fire Protection District colleagues were led to believe over the years that Masa had traded in that uniform for the combat fatigues of a soldier.
Now the chief says they were duped.
"I personally am disappointed. We're shocked. The Fire District is set back with this," said Orland Fire Protection District Chief Donald Bettenhausen.
Prosecutors say Masa lied to his colleagues saying he had been called into active duty by the Army Reserves on five occasions since 2003. Masa requested and was granted leaves, during which he worked abroad for two private firms, making a salary of more than $200,000, the release said.
Each time he provided documents detailing the alleged call-ups.
"We do have documents provided to the Orland Fire Protection District which we have checked with the U.S. military which are false," said Commander Charles Doll of the Orland Park Police
During the time when prosecutors say Masa claimed he was fighting in the War on Terror, he continued to receive firefighter paychecks totaling $193,000.
He was even honored on the firefighters union Web site as one of those who answered the call to serve. As recently as last week, co-workers were praising his courage and sacrifice, the Daily Southtown reports. Over a lunch of chili Friday, fire officials at station No. 1 described Masa's unflinching commitment to serve his country.
Masa has worked for the fire district since 1995, he was promoted to lieutenant in 2004
Neighbors say the man with the two flags flying from his house may have had them fooled too.
"I was under the impression that what he was involved with was classified," said neighbor Harry Davy.
Prosecutors classify it as felony theft.
Masa's Morris neighbor Mike Belli says if true, the allegations are unthinkable.
"I think it totally dishonors the people that are over there and this city," he said.
He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 26 at 11 a.m. in Branch 98 at the Cook County Criminal Courthouse. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison, the release said.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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