Firefighter avoids jail for insurance fraud
BY JASON DEL REY
jason.delrey@newsday.com
July 3, 2007
A former New York City firefighter from Long Island avoided prison when he was sentenced Tuesday to probation and community service in connection with a fire which was set to his car in February 2004.
Robert Schlosser, 34, of West Islip, was sentenced Tuesday morning in Riverhead by Suffolk County Court Judge Barbara Kahn to 5 years probation, 420 hours of community service and ordered to pay $18,774 in restitution to his insurance company after being convicted in March of insurance fraud and falsifying business records.
Schlosser reported his 2002 Cadillac Deville stolen in February 2004 and it was later found, damaged by fire, in Uniondale.
Schlosser's attorney, William Keahon of Islandia, said his client will appeal the decision. Both Keahon and Schlosser declined to comment after the sentencing.
Assistant District Attorney Michael McCoy said he had hoped that Schlosser would be sentenced to some prison time because of his occupation as a firefighter.
"He should be held to a higher standard," McCoy said after the sentencing. As a firefighter, "he would know what the result of the car fire could have been."
Schlosser was fired by the New York City Fire Department, both attorneys said.
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