Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 6, 1993 TAG: 9305060234
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
The problems involve about $15,000, which apparently is missing from the crew's treasury. This is the subject of an audit by the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors, which provides some of those funds.
The county asked the Sheriff's Department to look into the matter, but Sheriff Ralph Dobbins declined because Eddie A. Campbell, a sheriff's deputy, had been the crew's top official until last week.
A state police probe is anticipated, but a spokesman at 4th Division State Police headquarters near Wytheville said Wednesday afternoon that no request from local authorities had been received for an investigation so far.
All that could be confirmed Wednesday was that Campbell, who became captain of the crew in mid-1992, had resigned and that the duties of crew treasurer, which had been carried out by Campbell's wife, have been delegated to someone else.
Campbell, 29, has been with the crew for 13 years. He is a deputy with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department but had been off-duty on sick leave for the past seven days.
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously late Monday to advance $15,000 to the crew to cover outstanding debts. The governing body also plans to appoint an oversight committee to work with the organization, and to review its policies on fire and rescue squads to which it contributes money.
Roger Combs, who was crew captain for 15 years before Campbell succeeded him last June, is now the acting captain. Lt. Fred Gravely is acting treasurer.
Combs met with crew members Tuesday night.
"We just informed our people what was going down," he said afterward. "I feel like they're going to support us. They gave me that impression, anyhow."
He said it would be inappropriate for him to comment further until the audit was completed.
An accounting firm had handled the crew's books until last January. The organization was about to begin its mail fund-raiser for 1993 when a bank official told the county of an overdraft with the crew's account.
The fund-raiser is being delayed until further notice.
by CNB