The Vancouver Firefighters band marches in the 2009 St. Patrick's Day parade. (Facebook)

The former treasurer of the Vancouver Firefighters Band has been charged with stealing over $150,000 from the band's account.

Vancouver police announced the charges were laid after three-and-a-half-year investigation into suspected fraudulent activity which included a lengthy forensic audit.

Jason William Davidson, who was the treasurer of the Vancouver Firefighters Band from February 2003 until October 2008, has been charged with one count each of fraud over $5000, theft over $5000, and uttering a forged document.

He currently works as a deputy fire chief in Yellowknife. Mayor Gordon Van Tighem says he knew his new hire was under investigation.

"In the interview process he mentioned that there were some challenges that he was facing that might come up in the future. Those were looked at and discussed with people back there, and he was hired as the deputy fire chief responsible for safety and training," said Van Tighem.

Van Tighem said they hired Davidson based on his qualifications.

"He was being investigated for something that had no relation to his job… But it was fully disclosed at the time of the hire. It’s now moved forward, coming up with the courts. We’ll see what happens there," he said.

Davidson is scheduled to appear in provincial court on Mar. 5, 2012.

A note on the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services website says the Vancouver Firefighters Band is no longer affiliated with the City of Vancouver or the city's fire department, which set up its own Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Band after breaking ties with the organization in 2009.