Authorities say several men and women betrayed the public trust and cost Bensalem Township taxpayers well over $1 million dollars in a widespread theft scheme engineered by school district managers and employees with help from outside business owners.
"They said find what's bad, get it out of my building and that's what we did," said Township Public Safety Director Frederick Harran.
"People thought they were completely bullet proof and could do what they wanted with public resources," said Bucks Co. District Attorney David Heckler.
The year long, two pronged investigation found ghost employees who never showed up for work, managers who looked the other way and workers who got paid anyway.
Then there was over $500,000 in theft from the school district's bus garage, including buses, vans, tires, batteries and other equipment, which went on for 10 years, allegedly masterminded by former lead mechanic Fred Lange.
"You don't come to work for a couple years or you're stealing equipment out the front door and selling it for profit out the back door I have a problem with that," Harran told FOX 29.
Jack Myers was the lead defendant in the case, he's recently retired as the school district business manager.
"My client vehemently and vociferously denies all these charges," defense attorney Tom Kenny said.
Township taxpayer Liz Bourne was incensed by the corruption charges.
"I don't think we should pay any taxes now until that million dollars is back," she said.
Investigators say school grounds employees Joseph Dyer, his wife Shannon and Anthony Ruggiero were the three ghost employees. One never showed up for almost three years, another for almost two, which cost taxpayers over $200,000 in salaries, overtime and benefits.
"After all the evidence has been presented, we believe he'll be exonerated," said Ruggiero's defense attorney Tony Sean Page.
"Don't they ever check the budget, don't they look at anything," Bourne added.
The stolen equipment and vehicles were sold to members of what the defendants called the "breakfast club" and the "classic car club." The defendants were ordered to return to court March 26 for a preliminary hearing. Some were released on bail.
Several of the school employees resigned or were fired.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:23 GMT
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries.
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries here and make their getaway.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 7:13 PM EDT2013-05-15 23:13:23 GMT
These Crime Scene Investigators have processed thousands of gruesome crime scenes over their careers, but what they saw inside Doctor Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010 was a nightmare.
These Crime Scene Investigators have processed thousands of gruesome crime scenes over their careers, but what they saw inside Doctor Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010 was a nightmare.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-05-15 20:54:35 GMT
"Kermit Gosnell at some point became a monster." District Attorney Seth Williams shot straight from the hip as he spoke for the first time since abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell was found guilty this
"Kermit Gosnell at some point became a monster." District Attorney Seth Williams shot straight from the hip as he spoke for the first time since abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell was found guilty this
Monday, May 13 2013 7:02 PM EDT2013-05-13 23:02:49 GMT
She wanted to spend Mother's Day with her children and new granddaughter. Instead, she spent it at a hospital and on the couch after she says she was attacked near the Frankford Transportation Center.
She wanted to spend Mother's Day with her children and new granddaughter. Instead, she spent it at a hospital and on the couch after she says she was attacked near the Frankford Transportation Center.
Thursday, May 9 2013 5:09 PM EDT2013-05-09 21:09:22 GMT
Two-and-a-half years after she was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by her former boyfriend, Diane Corado's body has been found and positively identified.
Two-and-a-half years after she was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by her former boyfriend, Diane Corado's body has been found and positively identified.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:26 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:26:18 GMT
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow.
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:08:39 GMT
An ugly business stained with sex, drugs and violence is exploding on the Internet. It's called sex trafficking, and it happens right here in our area.
An ugly business stained with sex, drugs and violence is exploding on the Internet. It's called sex trafficking, and it happens right here in our area.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:07 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:07:00 GMT
A woman says she got kicked out of a Montgomery County mall for wearing a cancer-awareness hat. But it's the language, not the message, that got her into trouble.
A woman says she got kicked out of a Montgomery County mall for wearing a cancer-awareness hat. But it's the language, not the message, that got her into trouble.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 02:20:18 GMT
Mike Kersten and his wife Lisa of Croydon, Lower Bucks County opened their front door over the weekend only to find police telling them to stay inside. A large black bear was spotted climbing one of
A black bear seen in Bucks County is still the talk of the area for residents.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:27 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:27:47 GMT
A century-old community staple in Cherry Hill was up for auction Monday. The Woodcrest Country Club has experienced some financial problems recently, and after efforts from the township and the Freeholders
Cherry Hill's Woodcrest Country Club went up for auction Monday, with a pending sale in place after an offer from a Marlton-based developer.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:13 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:13:26 GMT
The family of the 5-year-old kindergartner abducted in broad daylight from her Philadelphia school is now planning on suing the city and the school district.
The family of the 5-year-old kindergartner abducted in broad daylight from her Philadelphia school is now planning on suing the city and the school district.
Investigators say there was over $500,000 in theft from the school district's bus garage, including buses, vans, tires, batteries and other equipment.
