An assistant chief with the Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department is accused of stealing more than $20,000 from the department over a period of five years.
State police say 56-year-old Kenneth Roberts who was also the department’s treasurer, used the departments credit/debit cards to buy computer programs for his personal business, and pay for his personal and business cell phones.
Police also say he bid on a used fire engine, won and took possession of the truck. He wrote a bank deposit slip showing that he paid the department for it when he hadn’t. Then, filed fictitious treasurer reports to the fire department and auditors to cover for the missing money.
The alleged incidents happened from July of 2010 to April of this year.
He’s charged with 36 counts of felony access device fraud and two misdemeanor counts, as well as two felony counts of theft by unlawful taking, and three misdemeanor counts. He’s also charged with forgery.
Roberts is free on $25,000 unsecured bond.