Reading Eagle
COATESVILLE, Pa. — Police arrested a former treasurer and long-time member of the Westwood Fire Company in Chester County for embezzling over $300,000 in six years, officials said.
Hower S. Smith III, 57, of Coatesville, was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge Grover E. Koon and remained free on unsecured bail.
Hower was charged with 50 counts of felony theft, 12 counts of receiving stolen property, 15 counts of forgery and related offenses.
“This crime was a shocking betrayal of trust,” Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said in a release. “The defendant stole from volunteer firefighters who risk their lives for their community. The defendant used the stolen funds to go on extravagant vacations and live the high life. Greed drove this defendant to steal from his community and those who protect it.”
This case illustrates the need for financial safeguards at all organizations and businesses, Hogan said.
County detectives said the investigation showed Hower made over 400 personal purchases on the company credit card and forged signatures on over 100 checks to his personal business.
Detectives say Hower stole from the firehouse safe, manipulated Bingo records to steal money from fundraising activities and charged the company for services and products he failed to deliver.
Hower used the money to take vacations, buy season passes to the Phillies, purchase swimming pool supplies and clothing, rent hotel rooms and vehicles and pay for meals in restaurants, detectives said.
He charged over $2,000 worth of unauthorized purchases to a fire company credit card while on vacation in Hawaii in 2012, detectives said.
The fire company responds to calls in six townships, with about 300 fire calls and 2,800 medical calls annually.
Hower was a member of the fire company for about 40 years. He was appointed the treasurer and head of the bingo committee in 2007, replacing his father who had held the position since 1979. He held that position until January 2012, when the thefts were discovered, according to county detectives.
He was the financial secretary for the year prior to his appointment as treasurer, according to court documents.
Valley Township police were notified and an investigation began while Hower was removed from office, according to the court documents.
Court documents state that the theft has caused severe financial hardships on the fire company, including additional loans to continue operations.
The fire company is able to make payments on the loans through donations and fundraising, according to court documents.
The Westwood Fire Company Executive Officer John Sly expressed his gratitude to the organization’s contributors and stated that the fire company wanted to ensure the investigation was handled thoroughly and with complete transparency.
Sly added that the company members “are both deeply saddened and angry at the alleged betrayal of trust by one of our long-time members.”
Chester County Detectives and the Valley Police Department investigated these criminal charges.
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