Volunteer fireman charged with felony theft / Hudson lieutenant pleads not guilty to taking $24 in latex gloves from fire department

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by Dorothy Markulis

Reporter

Hudson -- A volunteer firefighter pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of theft in office for allegedly taking latex gloves valued at $24 from the fire department.

Lt. Jay Zedak, a member of the fire department since 1995, was arrested July 3 for theft in office, a fifth-degree felony.

Assistant City Manager Paula Ryan said Zedak, 43, is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the charges filed against him.

According to a police spokesperson, Zedak was observed allegedly taking latex gloves from the safety services building on South Oviatt Street.

Zedak's attorney, Don Varian, said the latex gloves were not taken by Zedak for his personal use, but were taken for his role as a first responder.

"I've been a defense attorney for 30 years and I've seen very few cases where someone was so inappropriately charged," Varian said.

He entered a not guilty plea on his client's behalf before acting Judge John Clark, according to a Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court spokesperson.

Zedak is free on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.

Varian said Zedak has an "unblemished record" serving the community as a volunteer. He said the charges filed against him are "wrong and inappropriate."

A court hearing is slated for July 21 at 4 p.m. before Clark.

Zedak was promoted to lieutenant in the fire department on June 18, 2007. The department position is unpaid.

E-mail: dmarkulis@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3143