Fire chief embezzles $226K from Ohio fundraiser, spends it on cruises, sports, feds say
An Ohio fire chief has been sentenced to jail after officials said he embezzled more than $226,000 in fire department funds for personal use.
Johnny Baker, 38, of Wellston was sentenced Nov. 13 to one year in prison after pleading guilty in April to one count of mail fraud related to the embezzlement scheme, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
Baker’s attorney declined to comment to McClatchy News.
Baker used his role as chief of the Coalton Volunteer Fire Department “to build up cash” from the sale of pull tabs which was meant to raise money for supplies, officials said.
Businesses in the community sold the pull tabs — a legal form of gambling — and sent the proceeds to Baker.
While he did use the funds to buy necessary supplies for the fire department, officials said he “eventually supplemented his own income and spent money on cruises, resorts, sporting events, an ATV, firearms, and more,” according to the release.
Baker embezzled a total of $226,081.25 which he is ordered to pay in restitution, court records show.
Officials said Baker joined the fire department in 2009 and became chief in January 2023.
Coalton is about a 75-mile drive south from Columbus.
This story was originally published November 13, 2024 at 3:05 PM with the headline "Fire chief embezzles $226K from Ohio fundraiser, spends it on cruises, sports, feds say."
