By FireRescue1 Staff
EAGLE, Colo. — The Greater Eagle Fire Protection District fired its chief Thursday after he was arrested for stealing more than $120,000 from his previous department.
Kurt Vogel was placed on administrative leave after he was arrested Aug. 11, reported the Denver Post. He has been in jail since. His wife, Hope, is also facing charges and is in jail.
Following a board meeting with the district’s attorney, Vogel’s contract was terminated. The board cited Vogel’s unavailability and inability to perform his duties as chief after voting to fire him.
“We need to have a fully functional chief who is available to go in the direction the citizens and board would like to go,” board member Kraige Kinney told the publication.
Vogel is accused of felony theft, attempting to influence a public servant, official misconduct and forgery.
Vogel served as chief in Sterling from 2009 to 2016. City officials noticed there were “bookkeeping irregularities and missing firefighting equipment” after Vogel left the department April 2016. Upon further investigation, officials alleged that Vogel and his wife pocketed funds meant for the department into their own accounts.
Officials reported that Vogel confessed to the charges.
“He admitted … the stolen money from the aforementioned groups was virtually all spent by either him or Hope Vogel for their personal daily life, as well as appliances and a bicycle,” the warrant stated.
A bail reduction hearing for the former chief is set for Sept. 16.