Couple indicted, accused of stealing money from Anderson County Rescue Squad
A Rocky Top couple has been indicted by an Anderson County grand jury on allegations they stole money from the Anderson County Emergency and Rescue Squad, where they volunteered for the nonprofit, following an investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
Jessica and Alexander "Alex" Ridenour were indicted last week, according to the comptroller. Each was indicted on one charge of theft of property over $10,000, three charges of forgery over $2,500, and one charge of conspiracy to commit theft of property over $10,000. The two were released by the Anderson County jail on $75,000 bond each, court records show.
They will be arraigned on Sept. 30 before Criminal Court Judge Ryan M. Spitzer.
According to the comptroller, the two misappropriated rescue squad funds totaling at least $39,310 between May 2021 and April 2022. They resigned in May 2022. Jessica, 36, had volunteered as the rescue squad secretary, while 34-year-old Alexander was the assistant chief. Jessica had volunteered since 2012, while Alexander had since 2018.
"The Ridenours wrote 17 unauthorized checks from the rescue squad bank account to Jessica Ridenour (total $35,010.97), and five unauthorized checks to Alex Ridenour (total $4,300). The checks were deposited into their joint bank account," stated a news release from the comptroller's office.
The rescue squad’s board chairman reportedly told investigators with the comptroller's office that someone else signed his name on some of the checks.
Rescue squad deficient practices pointed out
“This investigation revealed a number of deficient practices within the rescue squad,” Comptroller Jason E. Mumpower stated in the release. “These included pre-signing checks, failing to require two signatures on checks, not requiring or retaining adequate documentation for disbursements, and not reviewing and reconciling bank statements. I encourage prompt correction of these issues.”
The comptroller's office also noted that the squad's board of directors failed to maintain meeting minutes. Investigators for the office looked at March 2021-December 2022 records.
The Anderson County Emergency and Rescue Squad in Clinton is a nonprofit organization. It provides rescue services, including vehicle extrication, mountain rescue, fire support, K-9 search and rescue, water and recovery, and technical rescue to Anderson and surrounding counties. It is primarily funded by contributions from Anderson County government, donations, and fundraisers, according to the comptroller.
The Oak Ridger's News Editor Donna Smith covers Oak Ridge area news. Email her at dsmith@oakridger.com and follow her on Twitter@ridgernewsed.
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This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Couple accused of stealing money from Anderson County Rescue Squad
