Missouri Firefighter Accused of Stealing From Union

Posted by: Curt Varone February 24, 2021 0

The former president of Fulton Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2945 has been charged with stealing between $22,000 and $30,000 from the union. Scott Peterson, 47, was formally charged today with felony stealing.

The theft was discovered by an incoming treasurer who noticed some questionable expenditures. The transactions occurred between May 2016 and November 2020 and included the period when Peterson served as treasurer as well as when he more recently became president.

Callaway County Sheriff’s Office investigated the allegations, and according to the Jefferson City News-Tribune, Peterson admitted to 130 improper transactions totaling $22,000. He attributed his actions to financial difficulties, but the expenses included personal out of state trips that the sheriff’s office says were documented by photos on Peterson’s and his wife’s Facebook pages. The union contends the amount stolen is over $30,000. The case is being prosecuted by the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office.

Peterson resigned as president while the investigation was underway. After he was arrested on February 19, 2021, he resigned from the fire department.  More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 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, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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