Bradford’s former interim fire chief has waived his preliminary hearing on theft charges.
42-year-old Rich Zmuda of Bradford was charged in September with three counts of theft – one felony and two misdemeanors. Since then, the date for his preliminary hearing was moved nine times. The hearing that he waived was scheduled for 9 o’clock this morning in front of District Judge Dominic Cercone.
Zmuda is accused of taking more than $47,000 from a joint bank account he had with his aunt. Court records say he told her was going to set up money market account for her. He is accused of making more than $27,000 worth of purchases and putting $20,000 into his personal credit union account.
Zmuda was interim chief early last year between the time former chief Chris Angell retired and current chief Eric Taylor was appointed.
Zmuda was chief of the North Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, fire department when charges were filed.
He is being represented by Bradford attorney Greg Henry.