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.
City Manager Michael Ciaravino said Vatter was expected to resign from his post Wednesday night.
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.
