Former Newburgh Fire Chief Pleads Guilty To Fraud

A former Newburgh fire chief plead guilty to fraud.

In Southern District of New York Court, 57-year-old Michael Vatter, of Wallkill plead guilty to wire fraud in connection with state pension benefits.

According to the indictment, Vatter served in the City of Newburgh Fire Department from 1980 until his retirement in May of 2000. In Nov. of 2009, he returned to the Newburgh Fire Department as Chief.

The indictment alleges that Vatter failed to report his return to the public sector despite knowing he had a duty under state law to do so. As a result, he received more than $95,000 in pension benefits that he was not entitled to receive.

Under New York State law, a public sector retiree who is receiving a pension and who returns to public service cannot receive both pension payments and a public sector paycheck.

Vatter faces up to 20 years in prison went sentenced.