Ex-Morrisville Ambulance Chief Sentenced For Theft (ICYMI)

MORRISVILLE, PA — The former chief of the now-defunct Morrisville Ambulance Squad likely will serve time under house arrest for his role in stealing more than $130,000 from the squad.

Brian Eckert, 42, of Falls, was sentenced Monday to 4-23 months in county jail. Prosecutors say he is expected to serve that time under house arrest.

Judge Rea B. Boylan also ordered Eckert to complete 100 hours of community service. He paid more than $30,000 in restitution at the time of his guilty plea in the case.

Eckert and former squad operations manager Ruth Roxy Rookstool, 59, were charged last year, accused of using credit cards and checks belonging to the ambulance squad to make numerous unauthorized payments between 2011 and 2018.

The payments, prosecutors say, as well as insurance fraud, totaled more than $132,000 and included paying off personal debts and expenses. Rookstool and Eckert also conspired to enroll Rookstool in company health and dental insurance after her employment with the squad had ended.

Eckert pleaded guilty in July to misdemeanor counts related to his role and he testified at Rookstool's trial.

Rookstool, who was found guilty at trial in August, is yet to be sentenced in the case.

The Morrisville Ambulance Squad has folded, at least in part due to financial difficulties related to the thefts. Capital Health, out of Trenton, now serves its former coverage area, which include all of Morrisville and part of Falls Township.