Volunteer Fire Chief Accused In Theft

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga.,None — Cherokee County Sheriff's Office officials arrested a former volunteer fire chief after he allegedly forged and cashed checks meant for other firefighters.

Detectives arrested Todd Christopher, 36, of Canton, on Friday after a two-week investigation. Officials said Christopher was the volunteer fire chief of the Holbrook Campground Volunteer Fire Department.

Police said Christopher forged and cashed stipend checks that were he was supposed to distribute to four volunteer firemen at the fire station where he was the treasurer.

Each check was written for $380, for a total of $1,520.

The Holbrook Campground Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directors notified the Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services that money was missing approximately two weeks ago. Christopher resigned from his position one week ago, officials said.

Christopher was charged with three counts of first-degree forgery, one count of identify fraud and four counts of theft by taking while acting in a fiduciary capacity.

He was being held at the Cherokee Adult Detention Center on a $35,744 bond.

WSBTV