Former fire chief accused of fraud turns himself him
By: Jenn Schanz
jschanz@klkntv.com
46–year–old John Porter had been with Southeast Rural Fire and Rescue for 11 years, 3 of them as chief.
Since 2010, Lincoln police say he's been misappropriating money from the Southeast Fire Chiefs fund, an account meant for small work–related incidentals.
“A review of the bank records on the account and supporting documents show that the former fire chief, john porter, allegedly misappropriated 38,000 dollars,” says Officer Katie Flood of the Lincoln Police Department.
And this isn't his first run in with the law.
According to the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office, Porter was arrested in Sidney back in 2006 for a similar incident.
He was convicted of felony Theft by Deception for taking 40,000 dollars from Cabela's, the same charge he faces in this case.
“We were going through some books and just found some discrepancies and decided to get law enforcement involved and after we did that the sheriff called the police and we started the investigation from there,” says President of the Southeast Rural Fire Department board Rick Whiting.
He also mentions it's hard to turn in a member of the team.
“we're getting better, it's just going to take time to heal,” he says.
Police say Porter spent the department's money on go–cart racing parts, taxidermy services, a new TV, and even a tattoo.
Porter made his first court appearance this afternoon and was then released from custody. He denies the allegations.
