Richard Bobb, the former Malverne fire chief, has been sentenced to five years probation for embezzling $30,000 from the fire department to fuel his gambling addiction. The disgraced former chief appeared in court today to receive his sentence, and the judge did not mince words in delivering the punishment.
Bobb, who had been a respected member of the Malverne fire department for over 20 years, was caught stealing from the department’s funds earlier this year. An investigation was launched after discrepancies were found in the department’s financial records, and it was soon discovered that Bobb had been siphoning money from the department’s accounts to support his gambling habit.
According to court documents, Bobb had been frequenting local casinos and racetracks, racking up thousands of dollars in debt. In order to cover his losses, he began withdrawing money from the fire department’s accounts, hoping that he could win big and pay back the funds before anyone noticed.
Unfortunately for Bobb, his luck ran out and he was caught red-handed. He was charged with embezzlement and faced the possibility of significant jail time. However, his lawyer argued for a more lenient sentence, citing Bobb’s otherwise clean record and his remorse for his actions.
In a statement to the court, Bobb expressed his deep regret for his actions and apologized to the fire department and the community for betraying their trust. He acknowledged that he had made a grave mistake and vowed to make amends for his wrongdoings.
The judge took Bobb’s remorse into consideration when handing down the sentence, opting for probation rather than jail time. Bobb will be required to pay back the stolen funds as part of his probation, and he will also be required to seek treatment for his gambling addiction.
The Malverne fire department released a statement following the sentencing, expressing their disappointment in Bobb’s actions but also their support for his efforts to make things right. They have implemented new financial controls to prevent a similar situation from occurring in the future and are focused on moving forward as a department.
As for Bobb, he faces a long road ahead as he works to repay his debt and overcome his addiction. But with the support of his family, friends, and community, he is determined to turn his life around and regain the trust he has lost.
