A former Lehigh Valley police officer and volunteer firefighter, who admitted stealing a large sum of money for a fireman’s relief fund, was sentenced in Northampton County court on Wednesday to serve 22 months to 10 years in a state correctional institution followed by five years of state probation.

Corey Cole Jr., 44, of Northampton, was a former Allentown police officer and volunteer firefighter. He pleaded guilty in May to charges of theft, rated a felony 2, and access device fraud. He originally entered a plea in January of 2020 but withdrew it because he was disputing the move to strip him of his police pension.

His appeal of that pension denial was rejected and he reportedly lost his right to his pension monies, which were forfeited.

He admitted stealing $315,000 from the Lehigh Township Fireman’s Relief Fund. Prosecutors said he took the money in a time frame of 2011 to 2018 while he was treasurer. Prosecutors also said he spent some of the money on restaurants, online shopping and entertainment. He also said he made a trip to Pittsburgh, saw a professional football game and made car payments using relief association funds.

He was originally charged with 380 criminal counts including theft, receiving stolen property, forgery, access device fraud and tampering with public records, all felonies.

Relief fund money is used for a variety of purposes within fire companies, including for training, insurance, gear, equipment, survivor benefits and more.

At the time of his arrest by Lehigh Township police, Chief Scott Fogel said, “Fire companies need this money desperately. This is no doubt going to have a far-reaching impact.”

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Cole texted Travis Wuchter, the fund’s vice president, and admitted to stealing money. Wuchter also had a copy of a recent bank statement showing unauthorized purchases and personal bills paid by Cole.

Cole turned over all records from the relief fund and other fire department records and property to Lehigh Township police.

Police showed Wuchter and relief fund President John Hammel copies of checks that had Hammel and Cole’s signatures on them. Hammel said he never signed the checks, adding Cole forged his signature.

An audit from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office showed Cole made unauthorized purchases, wrote checks to himself and paid bills from the relief fund without authorization.

Cole admitted to police that he created fake invoices and bank statements to cover up unauthorized purchases. He also admitted to taking money through ATM withdrawals, writing checks to himself and paying personal bills with relief fund money.

Cole resigned from his position with the Allentown Police Department in August 2018, around the time the investigation into the missing Lehigh Township money began.