Texas Chief and Wife Plead Guilty to Embezzlement

Posted by: Curt Varone February 6, 2013 4 Comments

The former fire chief of a Texas volunteer fire department pled guilty to embezzling $20,000 from the department.  So did his wife.

Ernest Roland Chapman and his wife, Donna Kay Chapman, pled guilty this week to the charges in 42nd District Court. Chief Chapman was the fire chief of the Novice Volunteer Fire Department, and his wife served as secretary.

The department has since changed its name to the Rough Creek Volunteer Fire Department.

Police allege the couple stole roughly $30,000, but the exact amount appears to be in dispute. The plea deal includes an 8 year prison sentence for both defendants that is deferred pending repayment of $20,000. District Attorney Heath Hemphill reportedly told reporters that he would prefer to see the stolen proceeds repaid than see the Chapmans sit in jail.

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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