Pennsylvania City Official Charged in Fleet Fuel Card Misuse

The Coal Township, Pennsylvania, streets department roadmaster is facing theft charges in connection to alleged misuse of a fleet fuel card. Pennsylvania State Police confirmed to Government Fleet that William Kuzmick was charged with theft after the Coal Township police chief reported he was investigating the incident on January 9.

The Northumberland County district attorney informed the chief he needed to call state police due to a conflict of interest between Kuzmick and the department. State Police told The Daily Item that the chief reported Kuzmick was using police fleet numbers to use the fuel card for his personal vehicles.

The police chief turned over the documents he had been collecting and said he believes there is more, but he could not locate the documents. Evidence included a USB drive with video footage of Kuzmick's purchases at a gas station, according to The Daily Item. When speaking to Kuzmick, troopers reported he initially said he no longer had the fuel card. However, once they mentioned the video evidence, Kuzmick reportedly admitted he had the card and that he only used it a few times. The Daily Item reported Kuzmick is accused of charging $712.40 of unauthorized fuel to the card.

The Daily Item reported that Kuzmick told troopers once he knew charges were going to be filed, he attempted to reach two board members to speak with them but they did not return his call.

Kuzmick is charged with a misdemeanor theft charge, and a felony charge of access device fraud for knowing the card was not his. Pennsylvania State Police told Government Fleet that the case is pending further court action.

Government Fleet reached out to the district attorney, as well as Coal Township officials, but did not hear back. The public information release report from State Police referred to Kuzmick as a "former employee."