The Floyd Press
Floyd, Va. — The former administrator of the Bluefield Rescue Squad will serve 45 months in federal prison for defrauding the squad of more than $200,000.
Thomas Franklin Carroll, 48, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of identity theft. He was sentenced in federal court Jan. 14 and in addition to serving 45 months he will have to repay $204,490 and be on supervised probation for four years after his release.
The government’s evidence indicated Carroll used the squad’s credit cards for his personal benefit on at least four occasions without the knowledge or permission of the board of directors. He also obtained a loan without the board’s approval and deposited some of the money in his own account.
“Mr. Carroll stole money from an organization tasked with providing needed assistance in medical emergencies,” United States Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy said. “He abused the trust placed in him by the Rescue Squad, and used their scarce resources for his personal gain. The sentence imposed appropriately recognizes the seriousness of Mr. Carroll’s crime.”
Carroll’s actions nearly forced the squad to close its doors in 2011 before the board of supervisors and Bluefield Town Council assisted with keeping it operational.
Eastern District Supervisor Charles Stacy, one of the people who helped the organization keep its doors open thanked the state police, Tazewell County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office and the U.S. Attorney’s office for their work. Stacy said he was pleased to close that chapter of the squad’s history.
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(c)2014 The Floyd Press (Floyd, Va.)
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