MONESSEN, Pa. — The president of a local volunteer fire department is facing a number of charges.
Stephen Gaydos III is accused of stealing more than $30,000 from the organization over the course of several years.
A number of community members told Channel 11 they were “shocked” by the allegations.
According to the criminal complaint, Gaydos had access to the bank account and began taking money from it in December 2020.
Police say the theft was only discovered when the department board of directors asked Gaydos to close the account and found it only contained about $7. Gaydos allegedly admitted to taking the money.
“It’s a shame this stuff occurs, but it does, unfortunately [...] sometimes things like this go unmonitored and squeeze through the cracks. It’s an absolute shame,” neighbor Paul Kucera said.
Channel 11 left messages for the department over the phone and via email. No one was there when we knocked on the door.
A woman did answer the door at Gaydos’ home but told us neither she, nor Gaydos, had a comment on the situation.
Meantime, neighbors say they hope this doesn’t hurt the public’s confidence in the department.
“I hope not. They need that money to help and save people,” one woman said.
Gaydos is due in court on Jan. 24.
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