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Warrant Issued For Former Fire Department Treasurer Accused Of Stealing Funds

Last updated on Thursday, November 17, 2016

(NEWBERRY) - A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the former treasurer of the Newberry Volunteer Fire Department.

According to Indiana State Police, 57-year-old Earlana Hall reportedly admitted to writing checks to herself while she was treasurer of the Newberry Volunteer Fire Department. The audit on the fire department's checking account highlighted a total of $12,140 as likely being used to personally benefit the Halls.

Hall is facing four counts of Level 6 Felony theft and a warrant was issued for her arrest November 15.

The investigation began in October 2015 after an internal audit detected several discrepancies from Hall's time as the treasurer.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Hall's husband, reportedly sold a truck belonging to the fire department for scrap. Police says there are no sales receipt and no deposit of any kind for the sale of this truck.

Police also found that Hall had written three checks to herself in 2015, but recorded that the funds was used to purchase hose cleaner. However no cleaner was ever bought.

Police spoke to the company in New York and found that the department had not bought hose cleaner in more than a year and a half and would not accept cash payments of any kind.

Hall had written two checks for $1,200 and one for $600.

Another check written to Hall was for $2,300, which she says was for repairs to Mendenhall Construction for putting in a new door at the department. There are no bills or receipts to reflect this check. Nor was the company given any cash for the door.

Checks would require two signatures before they could be cashed. Those authorized to sign the checks were Hall and her husband and the 7 the late Dexter York.

Another check for $2,300 for repairs to the roof was written to Hall. According to the complainant, she spoke to York before he died about repairs to the roof, which he was never aware of.

Hall also purchased a prepaid Visa card, which was reportedly put in the register as to be able to pay bills without having a second signature when needed.

According to police, that in 2014, the fire department's account went from $14,000 to $2,000 in 18 months.

In an Aug. 31 interview, Hall allegedly stated she and her husband had given up their positions with the fire department.

Police say hall did not want to give over the book work for the department saying "things were not caught up on in the checkbook."

After receiving several calls after their resignation, Hall and her husband put the items in a box, except for the checkbook, which she hid.

Hall told police she borrowed some of the money,

"But not all of it, because I was expecting to get disability to pay it back. And I am still waiting on that,'" she told police. "The Visa card was for gas cards.I was trying to save our house."

Hall told police the money went towards the house payment, utility bills and food.

Hall's husband reportedly denied knowing about the purchases, assuming it was taken out of his check.

He stated, "I feel like a complete idiot for being blind."

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