By Pamela Lehman
The Morning Call
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A city firefighter faces a felony theft charge after he allegedly forged several doctor’s notes to receive paid sick time off last year.
Bethlehem officials said it cost more than $4,500 to pay James Delgrosso Jr., 40, of Bethlehem for the missed time and for someone to cover his shifts.
Delgrosso was also charged Monday with forgery for the notes he allegedly submitted to get time off from February through November, according to Northampton County court records.
Delgrosso remains free on $10,000 bail.
Fire authorities said Delgrosso submitted several notes apparently signed by Dr. Stanley Yevelson for 18 days off. Police checked with Yevelson, who said the signatures were forged, according to the court records.
In January, Delgrosso was charged after state police said he tried to buy opioid painkillers from an undercover state trooper. In June, Delgrosso was accepted into a program for first-time offenders that expunges their criminal record if they successfully complete it.
Delgrosso’s attorney, James Burke, said at the time that Delgrosso had sought treatment for a drug addiction.