Monrovia Firefighter Arrested, Accused of Embezzlement
By Susan Motander
Published: Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Paul Lambert, 34, a firefighter with the Monrovia Fire Department was arrested November 19 on charges of grand theft by embezzlement of more than $50,000. The funds are alleged to have been embezzled from the Monrovia Firefighters Association of which he was the treasurer.
According to Dick Singer, the city’s public information officer, Lambert has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.
Lambert was arraigned last week at the Pasadena Courthouse and pled not guilty. The preliminary hearing has been scheduled for January 15. Bail has been set at $208,000.
Captain Dave Rapp, the president of MFA said “We are devastated and surprised by the allegations” adding that such allegations are rare among firefighters and “do not reflect firefighters as a whole.”
“We have been cooperating fully with law enforcement,” Rapp said. “Our thoughts go out to his family during these tough times.”
When asked for details of the embezzlement, Rapp declined to make any further statements saying that he did so on the advise of the association’s counsel and the recommendations of their state organization.
Lambert is alleged to have embezzled the funds between July 1, 2007 and August 31, 2009, according to court documents.
In addition to acting as the collective bargaining unit for the firefighters, their association is also their philanthropic arm. Part of the funds raised by such activities as the annual pancake breakfast are used to benefit various local charities. Donations have been made to burn foundations, MDA, the YMCA and several local sports programs.
In addition, individual firefighters have volunteered their time for other local charities including Foothill Unity Center.
According to Rapp, they are currently working with the KABC Spark of Love campaign to collect Christmas toys for needy children.
2 Responses for “Monrovia Firefighter Arrested, Accused of Embezzlement”
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Robert , a.k.a. The Fool, probably believes Paul was ramroded also. Dear fool (Robert) If Mark was innocent he would have fight and testified on his behalf, instead he pled no contest. Also how about the countless lives of the ederly Mark ruined. Robert you and Mark are the Devil incognito!
Fool meant fought not fight, Thanks,,,,just overlook mispelling, you get the jest of it.