Former East Carnegie fire chief accused of stealing $84K from department

The former chief of the East Carnegie Volunteer Fire Department is accused of stealing more than $84,000 from the department between 2012 and 2019, according to a criminal complaint filed this week.

Adam Kauer, 38, of Bethel Park, turned himself in Wednesday to detectives from the Allegheny County District Attorney’s office.

Kauer is accused of cashing checks from the department’s account and about $4,900 from the Scott Township Fire District that East Carnegie’s department is a part of, according to the criminal complaint.

A review of Kauer’s bank records and those of the department’s account showed that he would deposit a check from the fire department when his personal bank balance was getting low, according to the complaint. It happened 71 times between May 2012 and November 2019.

He used the money on expenses like food, gas and rent, along with a trip to Disney and a cruise, according to the complaint.

Kauer’s replacement as fire chief, Mitchell Shrager, notified Scott police in December about the suspected thefts. Authorities reviewed the financial records and the charges were filed.

Shrager didn’t return a message seeking comment.

Kauer didn’t have an attorney listed in court records and could not be reached for comment.

Kauer was released on his own recognizance.