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The Fairfield Glade Volunteer Fire Department (FGVFD) has made changes in how finances are handled following an investigation by the Comptroller’s Office.
In a press release, Comptroller Justin Wilson said additional oversight will help reduce the risk of mismanaging funds.
“Several weaknesses allowed this theft to go undetected for several months,” Wilson said. “Only one signature was required on fire department checks, and the former treasurer was the only person who reviewed the bank statements. I’m pleased to note the fire department and its board of directors have corrected these deficiencies.”
The changes come after former treasurer James Botbyl wrote 64 fire department checks totaling over $300,000. The checks were made payable to a personal business account between November 2017 and September 2018.
The Comptroller’s Office investigated the misuse of funds and found Botbyl’s businesses never provided any services to the fire department. Botbyl was later suspended by the fire department board of directors in 2018, indicted by a grand jury for theft in April, and pleaded guilty to the charge last month.
