Bridgewater Resident Indicted On Firefighters' Relief Fund Theft Charges

A Bridgewater resident will answer in court to allegations that he stole $400,000 from the East Orange Firefighters’ Relief Fund while serving as treasurer. 

The three-count indictment, announced today by Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray, charges 46-year old Fredrick J. Donatelli, Jr., with one count of theft, one count of misapplication of entrusted funds and one count of money laundering. All three are second degree crimes.

If convicted, Donatelli, who had 25 years with the East Orange fire department but recently retired, could potentially face 5 to 10 years in prison.

The theft is alleged to have occurred between January 2011 and February 2013. 

“This fund was established to assist widows and orphans of firefighters or firefighters who are facing extreme hardship. Instead, this defendant used the money for his personal benefit,’’ said Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Walter Dirkin, who is handling the case.

An indictment is not a conviction. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty in a court of law.

Acting Prosecutor Murray commended Essex County Prosecutor's Office investigator John Campo his work on this case.