Former Wilmore fire chief, wife ordered to pay back stolen funds

A volunteer fire chief and his wife accused of stealing thousands of dollars from their own fire company appeared in Cambria County court Tuesday for sentencing.

The judge debated whether or not to send the couple to jail, but listened to the fire company who said they'd rather get their money back. 

In 2010, the Wilmore Fire Company discovered their bills weren't being paid. They said they spent over $5,000 to investigate what was going on, and that led them to their fire chief, Robert Marra, and his wife, Helen, the department's treasurer. Instead of paying the bills, police said the couple was taking the money for themselves.

The fire company said their insurance was able to get them $15,000 to stay up and running, but they're still owed another $11,000.

On Tuesday, a Cambria County judge ordered the Marras to each pay $150 a month in restitution and complete 20 hours of community service each month. It should take the Marras about three- and-a-half years to pay back the fire company. After that, they will still owe the insurance company $15,000.

"It's setting us back a good financial bit for our fire company for the cost of everything that's going up on us," said Wilmore Fire Company Vice President Brian Shuagis. "For the Marras, they've never given any remorse or anything else like that to the fire company, to the community or all the people that donated money to us."

Members of the Wilmore fire company tell 6 News it's been a struggle, not only financially, but also with their community. They said they're finally regaining support and starting to see some new members, but until the Marras can completely pay back the money they stole, the fire company said they'll continue to hold fundraisers.