BARRE, Vt. (AP) - A former Barre Town firefighter has pleaded guilty to embezzling fire department funds.
The Times Argus reports that Kevin Otis, 39, was placed on probation for a year and ordered to do 40 hours of community service on Thursday. As part of the plea agreement, the embezzlement charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
According to a police affidavit, Otis told the fire chief that he had spent $935 from the station’s account for personal items and after realizing the mistake he paid back $950.
When Barre Town Police Chief William Dodge spoke to Otis on Nov. 4, he said he had confused his personal debit card with the station’s card, according to the affidavit. Otis told the police chief that he had a few beers one night and wanted to buy some things for his truck, so he took a photo of the station’s debit card, thinking it was his, and linked it to his Amazon account.
Otis has resigned from the department. His attorney had no comment Friday.
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