The former director of the Falls Township Public Works Department has entered a first-time offender program for allegations he misused more than $9,200 in taxpayer funds.
Jason Richard Lawson, 52, of Falls Township’s Fairless Hills section, is taking part in the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas’ Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program, which is open to first-time, nonviolent offenders. A hearing to accept him into the program took place Tuesday at the Justice Center.
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Lawson agreed to be part in the program at a preliminary hearing last October on several charges, including theft and forgery.
Successful completion of the ARD program could eventually lead to expungement of Lawson’s criminal record.
Following the fall 2024 hearing, Deputy District Attorney Marc Furber stated the ARD program was appropriate for Lawson due to nonviolent nature of the crime. He added that the former government official agreed to pay restitution to the township.
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On Tuesday, Lawson told LevittownNow.com he did not admit to a crime and the items he was accused of using township funds for were for township jobs and equipment.
“There are very disgruntled employees that are against me because of cutting their overtime and pay nearly $30,000 a year,” he said.
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The former public works director, who previously worked in Bristol Township, stated that the items he was accused of purchasing for personal use still belong to the township. He added that a wrong ID number was given for one order.
The district attorney’s office has stood by the allegations made in charging documents.
Bucks County Detectives alleged that Lawson is accused of using a township-issued credit card and checks to fund personal expenses at a Home Depot and a Ford dealership in Middletown Township.
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The purchases, which allegedly took place between March 2019 and March 2020, included items like LED lighting, plumbing equipment, and a backhoe rental, authorities said.
Investigators said that Lawson falsified records to cover up these purchases and put his home address for some orders.
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He was accused of misrepresenting an invoice for fuel injectors intended for a township vehicle, which instead matched a vehicle associated with a family member, who was not charged.
A detective wrote in court papers that the total of the purchases was $9,214.42.
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Lawson was terminated by the Falls Township Board of Supervisors on October 28, according to public records. He had been on leave for several months due to the investigation.
Lawson had worked for Falls Township since 2016.
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Editor’s Note: This article has been clarified to note Lawson stated he did not admit to a crime.
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