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Indiana Sues Former Chief To Recover Missing Funds

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Posted by: Curt Varone 2 days ago 3 Comments

The state of Indiana filed suit today against a former fire chief who is accused of embezzling nearly $60,000. Indiana attorney general Greg Zoeller’s office filed suit against former Speedway fire chief Mark Watson seeking to recover the taxpayers’ money.

The suit follows the release of a state audit into the department that uncovered a variety of improprieties Chief Watson engaged in, including:

Creating a personal bank account in the name of “DBA Speedway F.D.” without the knowledge or permission of the town, and transferred $42,992.53 in funds belonging to the town into the account

Creating a fictitious vendor called “Fireprof” and obtaining a purchase order to pay the company almost $4,500 for SCBA repairs. [The uncashed check was found among the chief’s office paperwork after he left]

158 prospective firefighters took an entry-level exam and paid $20 each, which was never turned over to the town

Selling clothing purchased by the town to firefighters and not turning the funds for over to the town

Overpaying himself for his clothing allowance

Chief Watson resigned in October after being confronted with questions about purchasing irregularities.

Here is a copy of the complaint: 7.30.15.State.v.Mark.Watson.complaint.to.recover.public.funds

Here is a copy of the audit: B45219

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ABOUT CURT VARONE

Curt Varone has over 40 years of fire service experience and 30 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.