By Mike Glenn
The Houston Chronicle
HOUSTON — The former chief of a Montgomery County fire department will spend a year in jail after he pleaded guilty to stealing money from department accounts, officials said Tuesday.
Robert “Bob” Robinson’s guilty plea on Monday to a misdemeanor charge was the culmination of an investigation into allegations of improper conduct over the last two years while he was chief of Montgomery County Emergency Services District No. 1.
A grand jury indicted Robinson for funneling cash into his own pockets that had been meant for his department.
The department provides fire protection to the northern part of Montgomery County.
Robinson paid $20,000 restitution to the county as part of his plea agreement.
Montgomery County prosecutor Tyler Dunman said that was about how much money he pocketed.
Robinson gave an employee with financial problems about $10,000 from the district’s operating expenses.
“It’s a good gesture but it’s illegal,” Dunman said. “You cannot use county funds for that type of purpose.”
In most cases, however, Robinson kept the money for himself — including about $1,200 that was raised by the department during their “Fill the Boot” campaign to benefit muscular dystrophy research.
Robinson was suspended and then resigned from his position as chief soon after the investigation was finished.
Prosecutors opted against pursing a felony case against Robinson because he repaid the money.
His jail term, which he will serve in Montgomery County, begins May 18, officials said.
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