Indiana Sues Former Chief To Recover Missing Funds

The state of Indiana filed suit today against a former fire chief who is accused of embezzling nearly $60,000. Indiana attorney general Greg Zoeller’s office filed suit against former Speedway fire chief Mark Watson seeking to recover the taxpayers’ money.

The suit follows the release of a state audit into the department that uncovered a variety of improprieties Chief Watson engaged in, including:

• Creating a personal bank account in the name of “DBA Speedway F.D.” without the knowledge or permission of the town, and transferred $42,992.53 in funds belonging to the town into the account

• Creating a fictitious vendor called “Fireprof” and obtaining a purchase order to pay the company almost $4,500 for SCBA repairs. [The uncashed check was found among the chief’s office paperwork after he left]

• 158 prospective firefighters took an entry-level exam and paid $20 each, which was never turned over to the town

• Selling clothing purchased by the town to firefighters and not turning the funds for over to the town

• Overpaying himself for his clothing allowance

Chief Watson resigned in October after being confronted with questions about purchasing irregularities.

Here is a copy of the complaint: 7.30.15.State.v.Mark.Watson.complaint.to.recover.public.funds

Here is a copy of the audit: B45219

More on the lawsuit story.