Falls Twp. Public Works Director Charged Following Theft Investigation

UPDATED: 4:47 p.m., Wednesday:

Falls Township’s public works director has been charged following a months-long Bucks County Detectives investigation.

Jason Richard Lawson, 52, of Falls Township’s Fairless Hills section, was preliminarily arraigned before District Judge Christopher O’Neill Wednesday at 2:20 p.m. on charges of dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activity, theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception – false impression, forgery, receiving stolen property, and tampering with public record/information. He was released on $100,000 unsecured bail.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Lawson used a township-issued credit card and a check for personal purchases at a Home Depot and a car dealership in Middletown Township. He is accused of falsifying records to legitimize the expenses.

The county investigation, according to an affidavit of probable cause, was started on March 27 followed a referral from the Falls Township Police Department that alleged Lawson utilized a township credit account at Home Depot for personal purchases.

County detectives wrote in court papers that Lawson made a number of purchases at Home Depot using the township’s credit card between March 2019 and March 2020.

The purchases allegedly totaled more than $5,700, investigators said.

The items purchased included LED lighting, plumbing equipment, circuit breakers, wiring, ladders, lattice, smoke alarms, balusters, and tools. Additionally, a backhoe was rented from the store, authorities said.

Investigators noted that Lawson used his home address for one order and for the backhoe rental.

A county detective wrote in court documents that Lawson has several other business ventures and flipped homes in the area. It was alleged that were commonly used in home renovations.

A second complaint investigated involved transactions at Fred Beans Ford in Middletown Township.

The affidavit stated that Lawson filed an invoice with the township for fuel injectors that were to be installed on a Falls Township Public Works Department truck. However, the VIN number on the invoice matched a 2009 Ford F-550 associated with Lawson and linked to his son-in-law, who is not facing any charges.

The truck, according to detectives, was not part of the Falls Township fleet.

The police investigation later discovered the fuel injectors in a storage trailer used by the Falls Township Public Works Department, investigators said.

Authorities said they found no work order in the township related to the fuel injectors around the time they were ordered.

The total amount of unauthorized and tax-free transactions allegedly made by Lawson is estimated to be at least $9,214.42, according to authorities.

Lawson has been on leave from the township since May.

Falls Township officials issued a statement Wednesday afternoon: “Falls Township officials have been cooperating with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office since allegations of potential wrongdoing were brought to our attention in May of this year. Public Works Director Jason Lawson was placed on administrative leave on May 3, 2024 while the investigation was carried out. Falls Township will continue to cooperate with the District Attorney’s Office in resolving this matter. As Mr. Lawson is an employee of Falls Township, we can provide no further comment on this personnel matter.”

The government official did not respond to a request for comment.

Lawson has worked for Falls Township since 2016 and previously worked as Bristol Township’s public works director. His wife, who has not been accused of a crime, is a former Pennsbury School Board member.

Original Story:

An arrest warrant was issued for Falls Township’s public works director, who has been on leave since May.

Jason Richard Lawson, 52, of Fairless Hills, has been charged with dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activity, theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception – false impression, forgery, receiving stolen property, and tampering with public record/information, according to a court document viewed by LevittownNow.com.

As of Wednesday at 1:30 p.m., Lawson had yet to be preliminarily arraigned on the charges.

Lawson was placed on administrative leave from the township in May, sources said.

Bucks County Detectives have been investigating thefts allegedly involving Lawson for several months, according to multiple sources.

A law enforcement official said detectives had obtained purchase records and bills connected to the township as part of the investigation into Lawson.

Falls Township officials issued a statement Wednesday afternoon: “Falls Township officials have been cooperating with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office since allegations of potential wrongdoing were brought to our attention in May of this year. Public Works Director Jason Lawson was placed on administrative leave on May 3, 2024 while the investigation was carried out. Falls Township will continue to cooperate with the District Attorney’s Office in resolving this matter. As Mr. Lawson is an employee of Falls Township, we can provide no further comment on this personnel matter.”

Lawson started working for Falls Township in 2016 and previously ran the public works department in Bristol Township.

His wife, Nancy, was previously a Pennsbury School Board member.

Lawson was not immediately available for comment.

Federal, county, and state law enforcement have been investigating allegations of crimes in Falls Township and other organizations for several years.

Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.

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