YADKIN COUNTY, N.C. — A Yadkin County Fire Department Treasurer is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from his employer.
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said 60-year-old Stephen Brian Hutchens was arrested and charged with eight counts of larceny by an employee Thursday.
Investigators said Hutchens was the treasurer for the Boonville Volunteer Fire Department in Yadkin County and over eight years, they said he's accused of overpaying himself by $49,428.73 from 2016 to 2023.
Detectives said the investigation began after receiving a complaint from the fire department.
He was given a $5,000 bond and is expected to appear in Yadkin County District Court on Feb. 7.
“While we need to remember that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty, it’s disturbing to hear that someone may have misused a volunteer fire department’s funds,” Commissioner Causey said. “Volunteer firefighters sacrifice a lot of their time and effort to protect their communities, and I am grateful for them. They and their communities deserve to know that the money contributed to their departments is being spent above board.”
Commissioner Causey encourages anyone who suspects fraud or scams to report it by calling 919-807-6840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684,” Commissioner Causey said.
You can anonymously report the scam or fraud. Information is also available at www.ncdoi.gov.
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