Firefighter faces prison in theft of $108,000

11/11/2006

Mark Zaretsky , Register Staff

BRANFORD — Firefighter Andrew Konspore will be sentenced Dec. 14 on federal embezzlement charges after admitting he stole $108,000 as treasurer for the union at American Medical Response, where he also works. Konspore, 35, who lives in North Haven and worked as a firefighter-paramedic for eight years, was fired by the Board of Fire Commissioners Oct. 18 as a result of his conviction, Fire Chief Jack Ahern said Friday.

"He has been terminated," although "there is a grievance process that he currently is going through," Ahern said.

In addition to his Dec. 14 date in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport, Konspore soon will have a hearing before the state Board of Mediation and Arbitration. "Pending that, he no longer is being paid or employed by the town of Branford," Ahern said.

Before being fired from his firefighter job Oct. 18 after a fire commission hearing, Konspore had been on paid administrative leave since his Sept. 18 guilty plea, Ahern said.

Both Ahern and Bridgeport lawyer Michael Fitzpatrick, who represents Konspore in federal court, said the charges deal only with Konspore’s role as treasurer of the Northeast Emergency Services Union and are unrelated to his firefighter’s job.

While Konspore is paying a price for the crimes he admitted to, he has the respect of former co-workers.

Union President Randy Chittenden said he didn’t want to comment on Konspore’s case, but that "as a fellow co-worker, he’s an honorable man."

Chittenden said, "He taught me how to be a good paramedic and a good firefighter" and showed concern when Chittenden’s wife was sick.

Ahern also said Konspore was a good firefighter and paramedic.

According to U.S. Attorney Kevin J. O’Connor, Konspore, of 22 Summer Lane, North Haven, pleaded guilty in federal court in Bridgeport to one count of embezzlement from a union.

Konspore was treasurer of the union, which represents about 400 employees of AMR and Greater New Haven Transit Co., from 2001 through 2004, according to documents filed and statements made in court.

Konspore admitted to issuing undocumented union check disbursements, making out union checks payable to cash and withdrawing cash from union checking and savings accounts, O’Connor has said.

"Union officers who betray the trust of their constituents by embezzling union funds should expect to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," O’Connor said at the time of the plea. The investigation is continuing.

Konspore faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He is also subject to mandatory restitution of up to $108,533, O’Connor said.

Fitzpatrick said the plea "was in lieu of an indictment" and was negotiated with Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan. While restitution is mandatory under federal law, "the amount is still subject to further discussions," Fitzpatrick said.

He said both sides agreed that, under federal sentencing guidelines, Konspore could face 12 to 18 months in prison, but he can ask for a lighter sentence.

Mark Zaretsky can be reached at mzaretsky@nhregister.com or 789-5722.