According to the auditor’s report, the Glantzes had full control of a bank account belonging to the Alvo Fire Department, as well as an associated debit card, beginning in April 2018.
In October 2018, four large transactions were made electronically to vendors that appeared personal in nature. The largest, for more than $3,800, was to Home Point Financial for past-due payments on the Glantzes’ home mortgage.
During a Dec. 16, 2019, interview with auditors and a state patrol investigator, Benjamin Glantz said the payment was made when the family was having a difficult time.
The auditor also flagged two payments of $500 to credit card companies during the same month.
“I was in a bad place,” Glantz said, according to the report. “Life was pretty thin then, and it was really tough.”
Auditors also said several checks written by the Glantzes on behalf of the village — one for $721 to pay for T-shirts for 4-Corners, a private fire company owned by Benjamin Glantz, another for $1,000 to reimburse for tools — were also cashed by the couple.
A day after $1,080 was paid to the Alvo Fire Department in June 2019 for conducting fire and emergency standby services at the Lancaster Event Center, the village paid $1,088 to Glantz’s company, the report indicates.