North Fond du Lac Fire Chief Resigns

In light of a fugitive warrant being issued in Pennsylvania on accusations of theft and a pending charge, North Fond du Lac’s new fire chief has resigned. Village officials planned a press conference for this afternoon about Richard Zmuda, but cancelled it and issued a statement instead. Zmuda’s resignation takes effect immediately and it was accepted by Village officials. In his resignation Zmuda said he needed to focus on family matters back in Pennsylvania. Zmuda is accused of stealing nearly $48,000 from an elderly aunt who had entrusted him with money from an insurance policy. North Fond du Lac Village Administrator Chuck Hornung says they did the same due diligence on Zmuda’s background check that they do for all job candidates. He says during a background check, unless they’ve been convicted or arrested it doesn’t show up. The Village will initiate a search for a new Fire Chief/EMS Director as soon as possible. Zmuda appeared in Fond du Lac County Court this morning. He told the court he would not fight extradition to Pennsylvania.