Columbus – Auditor of State Keith Faber released the 2018 audit of the Village of Union City (Darke County), which issued a total of $75,835 in findings for recovery against former Fire Chief Pamela Idle and EMT/Firefighters, Craig Idle and Brian Stump.
Ohio’s first responders exemplify the best in each of us, putting the well-being of those in need above their own well-being on a daily basis,” Auditor Faber said. “When someone undermines their reputation and the respect they have earned through sacrifice, we will pursue those individuals to ensure they pay for the damage caused by their selfish acts.”
From January 2010 to August 2016, Pamela Idle falsified her bi-weekly payroll time sheets to included EMS runs, short transports, and long transports that either did not occur, or for which there were no underlying EMS billing records. Also, no knowledgeable supervisor approved her time sheets. Her falsifications led to the village overpaying her $31,305.
Auditors found that Craig Idle, Pamela’s husband, also falsified his bi-weekly payroll timesheets during this period. The timesheets, which Pamela approved, included EMS runs and transports that never occurred or lacked supporting documentation. This resulted in the village overpaying him $33,240.
Also during this period, Brian Stump falsified his weekly timesheets to include runs that never occurred or didn’t have any documentation. The village overpaid him $11,290.
In all three of these cases, no documentation existed to support that the Village Council was aware that the individuals falsified their timesheets or approved the overpayments with such knowledge.
Auditor Faber issued findings for recovery against all three individuals in favor of the Village of Union City Fire/Rescue Fund. The total amount in findings for recovery is $75,835.
