William Donahue helped two siblings collect unearned credit under LOSAP program
FREEHOLD -- A veteran Howell Township volunteer firefighter forged records in order to get two of his brothers qualified for a benefits program, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said in a statement.
William Donahue, 54, pleaded guilty to four counts of fourth-degree falsifying records. Prosecutors have recommended he receive probation at his sentencing in June. Donahue is also barred from public employment or public offices in the state under the terms of his plea.
Donahue joined the Freewood Acres Fire Company in 1998, around the time the township's board of fire commissioners instituted a "Length of Service Awards Program," known as LOSAP, which provides deferred compensation to members of volunteer emergency services agencies. The benefit increases with each year of service.
Donahue was responsible for annually certifying each member's year of service, which requires members to complete a minimum amount of activities in order to qualify. Donahue falsely credited his brothers Michael and John with years of service in the program.
Michael Donahue left the Freewood Acres company and has been on the Old Bridge department for a decade, and John Donahue left the company in 2011, authorities said.
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