ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, October 7, 1995                   TAG: 9510090039
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short


RESCUE OFFICIAL CHARGED WITH THEFT

The bookkeeper of the Fort Lewis Rescue Squad was charged Friday with embezzling about $4,500 from the squad.

Anita J. Hansen, 39, was named in indictments returned by a Roanoke County Circuit Court grand jury that charged her with embezzlement and obtaining money by false pretenses.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Mark Claytor said the charges stemmed from improper use of a rescue squad credit card and money that was taken from a charitable donation over the past year and a half.

Hansen is accused of using the credit card, which was reserved for emergency repairs and gas for rescue squad vehicles, to withdraw cash and make purchases for herself, Claytor said.

She also is charged with taking a $1,000 contribution to the squad, cashing the check and keeping half of the money for herself, the prosecutor said.

Hansen, who could not be reached for comment Friday, is the third rescue squad officer to be charged with embezzlement this year in the Roanoke Valley.

In Salem, the former chief of the rescue squad and a 23-year veteran who had served as an officer in the past were charged earlier this year with taking money from the crew's account.

Salem has since begun auditing the rescue squad's books on an annual basis. Both Roanoke and Roanoke County also require external audits of their rescue squads.


Memo: ***CORRECTION***

by CNB