Bensalem Mechanic Sentenced to State Prison for Fraud Scheme

Bensalem taxpayers have repeatedly expressed frustration that sentences for the people involved in a massive fraud scheme against the school district have not included time in a prison cell. 

The punishments for the group involved in cheating the Bensalem Township School District out of $1.5 million have been house arrests, community service and restitution payments.

Judge Wallace Bateman put an end to that trend on Wednesday when he ordered school district mechanic Frederick Lange to spend 15 to 30 months in state prison, according to phillyburbs.com.

Lange has been described by prosecutors as the point man for a 10 year-long scam where he would order parts for district vehicles and sell them to area businesses for a profit.

The court also directed Lange to serve five years of probation, 250 hours of community service and pay $125,000 in restitution. Deputy District Attorney Robert James told phillyburbs.com that $357,000 has been collected of the $599,000 total restitution that the county is seeking.

Elwyn Smith of Bristol was also sentenced to serve 10 to 23 months in county jail, 100 hours of community service and pay $60,000 in restitution. Joseph Dyer also received 10 to 23 months in county prison, plus 150 hours of community service and a restitution of $47,625. Shannon Dyer will serve six to 23 months house arrest, 150 hours of community service and $47,625 restitution, according to phillyburbs.com.

The ongoing investigation into the school district fraud recently netted more arrests. Seven more people, including district employees, have been charged on various counts of theft and receiving stolen property.