Illinois Chief Gets Jail Time For Theft
An Illinois fire chief who used fire department funds to pay for personal expenses has been sentenced to serve 6 months in jail and pay more than $10,000 in restitution.
Former Brimfield Fire Chief James E. Bennett, 40, was sentenced last Thursday after pleading guilty to felony theft charges in Peoria County Circuit Court.
Bennett reportedly charged approximately $10,600 to a fire department credit card to pay for personal expenses that included fueling his personal vehicles. The theft took place over an extended period between 2014 and 2015, and was uncovered by two department members who became suspicious after a credit card company contacted the department suggesting that the credit limit needed to be increased.
Bennett must report to prison on September 5, and will be on probation for 30 months after his prison terms ends.
Another Chief who can’t keep his hands out of the cookie jar. By this stage, if I were a mayor/selectman/city manager, I’d be thinking seriously about keeping the FD credit card in my desk, taking it out myself as needed, accompanying the chief to the gas station, and countersigning all purchases.
Sure as poop, if I were a fire chief (screaming in terror), I’d want a second signature from one of the pols on every last damned thing I purchased, even a box of paperclips. Or I would do everything on POs signed by the city/town treasurer, with the exception of fuel. For that, I’d ask the town for a Wright Express card, limited to fuel and oil.