Updated: Friday September 28, 7:00 p.m.
The Police Association of Falls Township (PAFT) filed lawsuits against the former president and treasurer for misusing $2,343.14 of association subsidies, and hiding the expenditures until federal authorities subpoenaed union records, shedding light on the alleged misuse of “death benefit funds for “unjust enrichment,” according to court records obtained and reviewed exclusively by Lower Bucks Source.
The allegations are made against former union president Steven Langan (2015 to 2020) and past treasurer Bruce Rhodunda (2011 to 2020). The civil claim was filed on behalf of the PAFT by the Fairness Center, who according to the nonprofit’s website, is a public interest law firm that provides free legal services to those hurt by public-sector union officials.
Over a year ago, a confidential source, reviewed allegations similar to, if not exactly alike, those cited in the lawsuit filed in Falls Township District Court Wednesday afternoon against the former association officials.
At the heart of the matter are claims that the customary “Death Benefit” of $200.00 association members can request/receive as a show of sympathy for the death of a police officer’s family member was exceeded by thousands of dollars and allegedly buried by Langan and Rhodunda in their leadership roles as association officials.
Death benefit requests are capped at $200.00 per “qualifying” request according to PAFT customs, the claim says, which is understood and adhered to by association members and leadership, There were 29 approved “death benefits” between 2015 to 2020 costing an average of $133.97. Each of the benefits issued are documented in association records and signed by the association president and/or treasurer.
On June 18, 2019, Langan’s father-in-law passed away. Subsequently, on June 29, 2019 Langan and Rhodunda authorized a “Death Benefit” disbursement for an Edible Arrangements food platter costing $168.98. The relevant purchase voucher (“Eckert Benefit Voucher”) showed “Sunshine Langan Father-in-Law” was written in the “Description” field of the Eckert Benefit Voucher, indicating an awareness by former association officials that the purchase constituted use of the Death Benefit, court records say.
Cpl Steve Langan Credit: Submitted
According to the lawsuit, on July 3, 2019, Langan & Rhodunda authorized a further disbursement of $2,343.14 to cater a funeral reception hosted by the Eckert’s. The funeral expense report cited two distinct purchases: a catering bill from McCaffrey’s Supermarket in the amount of $2,329.16, and a case of bottled water from BJ’s Wholesale in the amount of $13.98 The purchases were made with PAFT funds despite the prior utilization of the death benefit in connection with the death of Langan’s father–in-law.
According to the PAFT bylaws monthly meetings are held on the third Wednesday in which the treasurer as part of a long–established custom provides a report to include a list of all expenditures made with PAFT funds in the preceding month. Despite this custom, Rhodunda and Langan never mention the expenditures at any subsequent meeting for the remainder of their terms – PAFT held six meetings between the time of these purchases and January 2020 – when they each failed to win reelection as association officials, according to the civil filing.
New leadership was elected by association members in January of 2020 with Michael Callahan and Marshall Belinksy succeeding as president and treasurer.
10-months later the Eastern District of Pennsylvania requested ‘[a]ny and all financial records from January 1, 2018 to the present, including books, records and checks related to the PAFT. Callahan and other PAFT members conducted a comprehensive review of all documents sought by the subpoena which shed light on the alleged malfeasance and improper expenditures by the two former officials.
It was that subpoena which has been the subject of numerous headlines and “exclusive” media reports dating back nearly four years now and involved Chief of Police Nelson Whitney receiving a federal grand jury subpoena in 2021(confirmed by his attorney Scott Pollins). A memo was allegedly penned by the chief around the same time saying two union officials were being investigated by county investigators for misappropriating union funds. No county, state or federal charges have materialized involving the police department or its union (PAFT) to date, despite the many breathless story headlines.
Bruce Rhodunda on the night retired from FTPD Credit: Submitted
Last year PAFT President George Thomas took the unusual step of filing a citizen’s criminal complaint against the Board of Supervisors.
The lawsuit seeks damages in the amount of $2,343.14, plus interest, court costs and “such other relief as the Court may deem just and proper.”
Anthony R. Holtzman, managing attorney for the Fairness Center said “Our client, the Police Association of Falls Township, is seeking to recover money that, in the union’s view, was wrongly diverted by the defendants to cover certain of their personal expenses.”
According to a Bucks County Courier Times report the two former PAFT officials were cleared after PAFT financial audits were completed in April 2021 and showed no evidence of misconduct says the report Additionally in August of 2021, a Bucks County Detectives investigation also found no wrongdoing took place, a lawsuit against the township, Whitney, the PAFT and its former president Sgt. Michael Callahan says.
Rodunda retired from the Police Department according to published social media posts. Langan remains employed as a Falls Twp Police officer, Twp. Spokeswoman Theresa Katalinas said Thursday morning.
Lower Bucks Source contacted US Attorney’s office for the Eastern District., Doylestown attorney Patricia C. Collins, who represents Rhodunda and Langan in a separate lawsuit (cited above) and PAFT President George Thomas. None of the above responded to requests for comment on this story and whether or not federal officials are still investigating the PAFT or the police department.
A court hearing is now scheduled for October 28, 9 am, Falls Township District Court with Judge John Galloway presiding.