Deptford Fire Chief Accused

Township Fire Department Chief Michael Gallagher has been indefinitely suspended with pay after an investigation concluded that he abused his office.

Raymond MacKay, a township fire commissioner, said the board made its decision Dec. 18 after reviewing a report prepared by an unidentified attorney. He declined to discuss the report at length.

"Our attorney indicated the red flags are there" that would warrant a criminal inquiry, MacKay told the Courier-Post of Cherry Hill for Tuesday's editions.

He said the allegations made in the report may also be forwarded to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

Gallagher, the first full-time chief of any fire department in the county, has served since 1997 and receives a $75,000 salary.

He declined to comment on the suspension and his attorney, Gilbert Brooks, said he and his client have not been told what charges are made in the report.

The accusations against Gallagher come about three months after two township fire district commissioners allegedly broke into his office and removed some personnel files.

George Frank, 43, the commission's chairman, and Michael White, 26, were charged in September with burglary, theft and conspiracy.

The county prosecutor's office is now reviewing the charges to determine whether they should be presented to a grand jury or remanded to municipal court.

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Author: NBC10/AP