PALESTINE —
Local law enforcement authorities say they are currently investigating a case involving the alleged embezzlement of funds by a member of the Southside Volunteer Fire Department.
As of late Thursday afternoon, no arrests had been made in connection with the case, according to Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor.
The sheriff told the Herald-Press Thursday that his agency was initially contacted approximately one month ago concerning the alleged behavior.
“We were informed that there was the possibility of some misapplication of funds from the Southside Volunteer Fire Department,” Taylor said. “We do have one identified suspect who I’m not going to name because they have not been charged. They have been cooperating. It looks like we may have monetary loss between $5,000 and $10,000.
“We are continuing to investigate,” the sheriff continued. “There may be further suspects identified. There’s a lot involved in financial cases.”
Taylor said sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Chason and Capt. Jay Russell are the investigating the case for his agency.
Chris Dobbs, investigator for the Anderson County district attorney’s office who is trained in fraud investigations, also is assisting.
There are roughly a dozen volunteer fire departments in Anderson County, each of receives a total of $13,000 in annual funding from the county.
The county’s VFDs additionally generate revenue through grants, department fundraisers and other methods.
“Funds that are received into that department can be accessed by certain people within the fire department,” Taylor said.
The sheriff said he believed the embezzlement occurred over “an extended period of time.”
Taylor added that it is “very possible there’s more loss and more suspects” in the case.
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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com
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Southside VFD member under investigation
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