A Dauphin County Judge sentences the former Hershey Fire Company treasurer to one to five years in state prison. Thaddeus Austin, 31, plead guilty last January to Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds and Theft by Deception for stealing $129,000 from the Hershey Fire Company.
The theft came to light during an annual audit done by the department. It was determined that Austin had been stealing the money while serving as treasurer. Twenty firefighters appeared to court to urge that Austin be handed a prison sentence. The prosecution also noted that Austin was driven by greed and a desire to a lavish lifestyle and by his actions should receive jail time.
Austin was also sentenced to an additional two years of probation upon release from state incarceration and to make restitution for the losses incurred.