Middlebury Fire Chief Embezzles $70,000 From Department: Prosecutors

The fire chief in Middlebury faces federal charges, accused of embezzling $70,000 from the town's volunteer fire department, according to federal prosecutors.

Middlebury Fire Chief Paul Perrotti, 47, was arrested on Thursday morning at his Middlebury home. He pleaded not guilty in Bridgeport federal court on Thursday to three counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.

Perrotti, a licensed electrician, has served as the president and fire chief of the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department since 1996 and has operated Paul Perrotti Electric, LLC since 2010.

He's accused of paying for personal and business expenses with money from Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department accounts from January 2011 through December 2013, according to prosecutors. Perrotti has been stripped of his title and suspended from the fire department.

In May, FBI agents raided the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department while looking into reports of mishandled department finances related to fire chief business. The U.S. Attorney's office said the raid was connected to the investigation that led to Perrotti's arrest.

Perrotti said at the time that he was not involved in any wrongdoing and had completely cooperated with federal agents to give them the information they requested. He said he believed the allegations came from a vengeful former firefighter. 

According to the indictment, Perrotti used fire department funds to pay his electric company, employees, company vendors and personal loans.

He also opened a Home Depot credit under in the fire department's name, but used it to buy supplies for his electric company, prosecutors said. Perrotti is also accused of using the fire department debit card for personal expenses such as food and gas.

Perrotti is accused of submitting false invoices to the town of Middlebury, claiming that personal and electric company charges were related to fire department operations.

Middlebury First Selectman and former fire chief Ed St. John didn't comment on the case, but said that keeping the town's fire service going is of the "utmost importance."

He asked residents to support acting fire chief Tony Bruno, who met with fellow firefighters Thursday evening to update them on the case and "keep morale up."

Bruno said the fire department will continue working as a team and providing the same services to the community it always has.

NBC Connecticut spoke with Perrotti outside the courthouse, but he declined to comment on his arrest. He was freed on a $250,000 non-surety bond and will appear in court for jury selection on Jan. 9.

Perrotti could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Contact Us