Vatter
NEWBURGH – City of Newburgh Fire Chief Michael Vatter has been
indicted on charges that he fraudulently obtained some $95,000 in pension
benefits by failing to report his return to work in the public sector.
Vatter, 57, of the hamlet of Wallkill, had worked as fire chief from 1980
through mid-2000, when he retired to attend law school, earn a degree
and practice law. He returned as chief in November 2009.
Under 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. The law permits public sector retirees to earn
up to $30,000 per year from public sector employment before their pension
benefits are cut off for that year.
He has been formally charged with wire fraud, which carries a maximum
sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Assisting the FBI and US Attorney in the case were the state comptroller,
Orange County District Attorney’s Office and Orange County Sheriff’s
Office.
