SLATER CLOSES LOSAP LOOPHOLE WITH FIREFIGHTER BENEFIT FORFEITURE BILL

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) today announced his support for and passage of legislation (A.8008) that would require the forfeiture of Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) benefits for volunteer firefighters convicted of certain crimes committed against their own fire department, fire company, fire district or fire protection district.

Under current law, individuals convicted of felony arson are prohibited from collecting LOSAP benefits. This legislation expands those disqualifications to include individuals convicted of felonies committed against the volunteer fire organizations they serve.

The bill was introduced following a case in which a Mahopac volunteer fire department treasurer was convicted of embezzling nearly $6 million from his department but remained eligible to collect LOSAP benefits under existing law.

“Volunteer firefighters dedicate countless hours to protecting our communities, often sacrificing time with their families to answer the call of duty,” said Slater. “Unfortunately, we have seen situations where individuals violated the public trust, stole taxpayer dollars from their own fire district and still qualified to receive LOSAP benefits. That's simply wrong.”

Speaking in support of the legislation on the Assembly floor, Slater noted that volunteer firefighters throughout his district have strongly supported closing what many view as a significant loophole in state law.

“This bill closes an important loophole and ensures that individuals who commit serious crimes against the very departments and organizations they pledged to serve cannot continue receiving benefits from those same organizations,” Slater said. “My volunteer firefighters have expressed deep support for this measure, and I know firefighters across New York state feel the same way.”

MVFD Ex-Captain and current LOSAP Secretary, Tom Beatty, said: “This important change to New York's LOSAP law closes a serious loophole and strengthens accountability within our volunteer fire service. Under this new law, any firefighter convicted of a felony against his or her fire department will be ineligible for those taxpayer-funded benefits. I was inspired to request this reform through the help of NYS Assemblyman Matt Slater after the shocking theft of $5.7 million from the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department by its former treasurer, who could still have qualified for LOSAP benefits under the prior law. As LOSAP Secretary, I believe expanding the disqualification standard to include all felonies committed against a fire department better protects volunteer fire departments, taxpayers, and the integrity of the LOSAP program statewide.”

“Our volunteer firefighters serve with honor, integrity and selflessness,” Slater added. “This legislation protects the integrity of the LOSAP program, safeguards taxpayer resources and ensures that those who betray the trust of their departments are held accountable.”