N.J. County Fire Union Official Charged with Stealing Nearly $10K from Organization
A Burlington County firefighters union official has been arrested and charged with stealing almost $10,000 from the organization he was entrusted to serve, according to authorities. Joseph Tull Jr., 38, of Williamstown, allegedly misused his position as treasurer to funnel union funds into personal spending and his own bank accounts.
The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office announced the charges on Wednesday, following Tull’s arrest on Monday, March 10. The investigation began after union leadership from Burlington County Professional Firefighters Association Local 3091 alerted police about suspicious bookkeeping irregularities.
Alleged Financial Misconduct
Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw said Tull faces serious charges including second-degree computer criminal activity and third-degree counts of theft by deception and misapplication of entrusted property. The firefighter, who works full-time for the Cinnaminson Fire Department, is accused of withdrawing $6,300 from the union’s account at ATMs and depositing those funds into his personal account.
According to authorities, Tull didn’t stop there. He allegedly used the union’s debit card for personal expenses totaling over $3,300 at various businesses, including Jersey Mike’s, Rita’s Italian Ice, and Wawa, as reported by NJ.com.
These unauthorized transactions were discovered during an internal review by union officials, who then brought their concerns to law enforcement. The subsequent investigation led to Monday’s arrest and formal charges against Tull.
Professional Consequences
Following his arrest, Tull was processed and released pending future court appearances. No attorney was listed for him in online court records as of Wednesday, according to NJ.com.
The professional fallout was swift. Cinnaminson Fire Chief Philip Drangula confirmed on Wednesday that Tull has been suspended from his firefighting duties pending the outcome of the charges. This suspension comes as the department and union grapple with the allegations against one of their own.
“We take these allegations very seriously,” a source close to the department said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to comment publicly. “There’s a special level of trust placed in union officials, especially those handling finances.”
About the Affected Union
Burlington County Professional Firefighters Association Local 3091 represents a significant number of emergency service professionals throughout the county. The organization serves as the collective bargaining unit for career firefighters, fire officers, fire marshals, and emergency medical technicians across several Burlington County municipalities.
When contacted by reporters, officials from Local 3091 did not immediately return requests for comment about the situation involving their former treasurer. The union now faces the challenge of rebuilding trust and securing its financial operations moving forward.
Legal Details and Next Steps
The charges against Tull carry serious potential consequences. Second-degree computer criminal activity can result in 5-10 years in state prison if convicted, while the third-degree charges each carry potential sentences of 3-5 years.
According to Daily Voice, the prosecutor’s investigation revealed that Tull allegedly manipulated the union’s financial systems to facilitate the unauthorized withdrawals and transactions. These actions form the basis for the computer criminal activity charge, which is the most serious of the offenses.
The case highlights growing concerns about financial oversight in volunteer and professional organizations where trusted individuals have significant access to funds. Financial experts recommend regular audits and multiple-person approval systems for withdrawals to prevent similar situations.
Community Impact
The case has sent ripples through Burlington County’s firefighting community, where trust and brotherhood are foundational values. Many firefighters expressed shock at the allegations, noting that the funds in question were collected from hard-working first responders through their union dues.
“These are people who put their lives on the line every day,” said one local firefighter who requested anonymity. “To think that money meant to protect their interests might have been misused is particularly disappointing.”
As the legal process moves forward, both the Cinnaminson Fire Department and Local 3091 face the challenge of maintaining morale while addressing the alleged breach of trust within their ranks. The prosecutor’s office has not indicated whether additional charges might be forthcoming as the investigation continues.
