Bartman
01-15-2005, 02:19 AM
(Seymour-WTNH, Jan. 14, 2005 11:00 PM) _ Seymour's ambulance association is facing pretty tough questions about money. The state attorney general says the association mismanaged tens of thousands of dollars.
* by News Channel 8's Michael Herzenberg
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal alleges the money went for cruises, to liquor stores and an adult lingerie store. The ambulance association is a non-profit. It's run by a man who town leaders say has dedicated his life to EMS. That's what they say makes this so hard to believe.
"I'm disappointed and I'm shocked in a town like Seymour," says First Selectman Robert Koskelowski.
"Whether it's characterized as fraud or mismanagement or simple incompetence, what we see are incomplete and unreliable records and misuse and mismanagement of funds that have been contributed by people who expect and deserve solid, sound and accountable governance of this organization."
Attorney General Blumenthal says he found almost $50,000 in undocumented or questionable changes to Seymour Ambulance credit cards, including about $27,000 in travel, lodging and cruise expenses for executive director Frank Marcucio III and his family.
Other association members are accused of spending ambulance money. The attorney general questions purchases made from an adult novelty shop, a body jewelry salon, a dating service and liquor stores.
Marcucio has no comment.
The association is a non-profit which gets its money from the town, from donations, and from direct billing. The first selectman says he's going to look into taking over the finances of the ambulance association and ask Marcucio for answers.
"I think it's an obligation of his to give us answers and the people answers," Koskelowski said.
Those answers could come Tuesday at a Board of Selectmen's meeting.
Marcucio has not been charged with any crimes. The attorney general says the investigation is still open.
* by News Channel 8's Michael Herzenberg
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal alleges the money went for cruises, to liquor stores and an adult lingerie store. The ambulance association is a non-profit. It's run by a man who town leaders say has dedicated his life to EMS. That's what they say makes this so hard to believe.
"I'm disappointed and I'm shocked in a town like Seymour," says First Selectman Robert Koskelowski.
"Whether it's characterized as fraud or mismanagement or simple incompetence, what we see are incomplete and unreliable records and misuse and mismanagement of funds that have been contributed by people who expect and deserve solid, sound and accountable governance of this organization."
Attorney General Blumenthal says he found almost $50,000 in undocumented or questionable changes to Seymour Ambulance credit cards, including about $27,000 in travel, lodging and cruise expenses for executive director Frank Marcucio III and his family.
Other association members are accused of spending ambulance money. The attorney general questions purchases made from an adult novelty shop, a body jewelry salon, a dating service and liquor stores.
Marcucio has no comment.
The association is a non-profit which gets its money from the town, from donations, and from direct billing. The first selectman says he's going to look into taking over the finances of the ambulance association and ask Marcucio for answers.
"I think it's an obligation of his to give us answers and the people answers," Koskelowski said.
Those answers could come Tuesday at a Board of Selectmen's meeting.
Marcucio has not been charged with any crimes. The attorney general says the investigation is still open.