Duo Charged With Embezzling Over $100K From Volunteer Fire Dept.

CENTERVILLE (KDKA) – The former treasurer and president of a Washington County volunteer fire department have been charged with embezzling over $100,000 from the department.

According to the Washington County District Attorney's Office, Rachel Lynn Sargeant, 44, and Thomas S. Yuratovich, 42, both from Vestaburg, allegedly embezzled $105,598 in one year from the Centerville Volunteer Fire Department.

"Sargeant and Yoratovich had signatory approval on the fire department bank account and they both received debit cards for the account," District Attorney Gene Vittone said in a statement. "Evidence indicates the pair made multiple, large purchases. Further evidence shows that they withdrew funds from the account and participated in other unauthorized transactions amounting to more than $100,000."

According to the criminal complaint, the investigation began back in February when another official with the fire department suspected the money was being stolen.

The suspects live together and had made, large personal purchases ATM withdrawals, cash withdrawals and trips to local casinos.

In March, the suspects were removed from the positions within the department.

During the course of their investigation, it was determined that an debit card linked to the fire department's account was used at a variety of stores, restaurants and even airline tickets.

In total, the suspects made 66 transactions for over $80,000 involving cash. Another 97 transactions involving purchases totaled over $25,500.

Both are facing a list of charges including, theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, criminal conspiracy and tampering with evidence.

"Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have had this type of theft occur to a volunteer fire company. It is vitally important for volunteer organizations to have in place control mechanisms to prevent one individual or two related individuals from having complete access to the group's assets," Vittone said.

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