There are accusations that former Salton Sea Beach Fire Chief Ronald Hall may have embezzled money from the Fire Department. No charges have been made and it’s been two months now. — Wanting to Know, Salton Sea
Let us just first say, Hall officially retired, according to new Fire Chief Don O’Hagan.
This is not an attempt to cast guilt on the former chief, but there is clearly a larger investigation still going, and we believe it is related to this. After several days of pursuing an answer, we can’t confirm or deny that there are accusations of embezzlement looming over Hall.
However, Imperial County sheriff’s Sgt. Clint Erro did confirm that the Sheriff’s Department “is investigating something at (that) Fire Department.” But Erro couldn’t go into further detail to protect the integrity of the investigation.
We then went to the next natural person to inquire about an investigation into the department, contacting Imperial County Fire Chief Tony Rouhotas. We asked him whether he had been notified about the investigation, and if so, had he taken any steps about it. He responded in an e-mail: “I am aware of some of the matter occurring, but the Salton Sea Beach Fire (Department) is an independent agency.”
And indeed, the Salton Sea Beach Fire Department is an independent organization.
O’Hagan characterized the station as a volunteer nonprofit fire company that is contracted with the county for funding, and he explained that the station runs itself without an elected board.
O’Hagan, who became chief when 14 firefighters of the organization voted him in, said he’s been in his position since Sept. 11.
And it was also in September when Hall retired, according to O’Hagan, who said an investigation involving the Fire Department started after Hall’s retirement.
As far as the investigation, O’Hagan said, “I really don’t know anything about it that I can say.”
He also said that the morale of his Fire Department was in good shape and “pretty much like it was — it (investigation) hasn’t changed anything.”
However, the investigation has changed something. To begin with, the investigation sparked strong rumors involving the station’s former chief, whom, we should add, couldn’t be reached for comment.
Let us just first say, Hall officially retired, according to new Fire Chief Don O’Hagan.
This is not an attempt to cast guilt on the former chief, but there is clearly a larger investigation still going, and we believe it is related to this. After several days of pursuing an answer, we can’t confirm or deny that there are accusations of embezzlement looming over Hall.
However, Imperial County sheriff’s Sgt. Clint Erro did confirm that the Sheriff’s Department “is investigating something at (that) Fire Department.” But Erro couldn’t go into further detail to protect the integrity of the investigation.
We then went to the next natural person to inquire about an investigation into the department, contacting Imperial County Fire Chief Tony Rouhotas. We asked him whether he had been notified about the investigation, and if so, had he taken any steps about it. He responded in an e-mail: “I am aware of some of the matter occurring, but the Salton Sea Beach Fire (Department) is an independent agency.”
And indeed, the Salton Sea Beach Fire Department is an independent organization.
O’Hagan characterized the station as a volunteer nonprofit fire company that is contracted with the county for funding, and he explained that the station runs itself without an elected board.
O’Hagan, who became chief when 14 firefighters of the organization voted him in, said he’s been in his position since Sept. 11.
And it was also in September when Hall retired, according to O’Hagan, who said an investigation involving the Fire Department started after Hall’s retirement.
As far as the investigation, O’Hagan said, “I really don’t know anything about it that I can say.”
He also said that the morale of his Fire Department was in good shape and “pretty much like it was — it (investigation) hasn’t changed anything.”
However, the investigation has changed something. To begin with, the investigation sparked strong rumors involving the station’s former chief, whom, we should add, couldn’t be reached for comment.
