The ex-Newportville Fire Company Chief charged with theft and misappropriation of fire company funds is now heading to a jury trial after a preliminary hearing at Falls Township District Court Wednesday.
Fred Black, 54, of Bristol Township, represented by Paul Lang, Esq. appeared before District Judge John Galloway at Falls Township District Court.
Galloway, at the hearing, ruled there was enough evidence to hold (sustain) the charges for trial.
Lower Bucks Source first broke the story that Black was under investigation in January of 2025.
The preliminary hearing had been scheduled for earlier dates three times after it was transferred to Galloway’s court for reasons that are unclear as of publication time.
Black was arrested a week before Christmas last year on four felony theft counts and a single misdemeanor of misappropriation of government funds.
According to the probable cause fire company officials first suspected something was wrong with Black’s spending in 2020 when he reportedly began ignoring the rules and codes set in the company’s bylaws.
According to investigators, fire company bank records showed a “progressive, substantial increase” in spending and cash withdrawals from fire company accounts between 2020 and 2024, including 382 Amazon purchases shipped to Black’s home.
There were 237 — totaling more than $19,300 — purchases made that, “in their collective opinion,” were in “no way” purchased for fire department business and/or activities, authorities said.
Black, according to the probable cause, was paid cash deposits to rent the fire company’s hall, but there were no records that could be found for those transactions, according to court records.
Credit: Lower Bucks Hospital
As of today, Black has not produced any rental deposit money receipts or contracts, nor provided an explanation as to the spending shown in the fire company’s bank account, investigators said.
Newportville Fire Company spokesman Keith Bidlingmaier, said in a statement after Black’s arrest, fire company officials contacted the authorities in late 2024 when they became aware of certain discrepancies in record keeping and statements and the mishandling of funds.
It is rather ironic Black’s hearing came up the day before Council decides the future of Newportville Fire Company providing emergency services in Bristol Township.
Black is due back in court for a formal arraignment on September 16.
