DARLINGTON - A man jailed last week on accusations of embezzling nearly $55,000 from the Darlington Community Fire Department appeared in court Wednesday, July 25 on felony charges filed the same day.
Jonathan Grossen, 30, Darlington, faces two felony theft charges that he stole from the fire department and fire commission over the course of three years while a volunteer firefighter and membership treasurer.
Judge William Johnston set Grossen's signature bond at $50,000 on the conditions that Grossen have no contact with the fire station or local firefighters and remove firearms from his home.
According to the criminal complaint, Grossen started withdrawing cash for himself from the fire department's donation accounts when he was elected treasurer in February 2009 and continued until March of this year when his term ended and he was not re-elected.
The complaint also alleges he helped himself to a $7,393 check from the Town of Willow Springs that was intended for the Darlington Fire Commission. The check has since been recovered and deposited in its proper account.
Darlington police began investigating the case June 8. According to a report prepared by Chief Jason King, nobody in the fire department suspected Grossen was responsible for the missing money until after his term as treasurer ended and he turned over his records.
"It was just presumed he was a disorganized bookkeeper," King wrote, based on an interview he conducted with a member of the fire department.
Grossen appeared in court without an attorney. Johnston gave him instructions on securing defense counsel before his next appearance at 9 a.m. Monday, July 30.
- Katjusa Cisar
Jonathan Grossen, 30, Darlington, faces two felony theft charges that he stole from the fire department and fire commission over the course of three years while a volunteer firefighter and membership treasurer.
Judge William Johnston set Grossen's signature bond at $50,000 on the conditions that Grossen have no contact with the fire station or local firefighters and remove firearms from his home.
According to the criminal complaint, Grossen started withdrawing cash for himself from the fire department's donation accounts when he was elected treasurer in February 2009 and continued until March of this year when his term ended and he was not re-elected.
The complaint also alleges he helped himself to a $7,393 check from the Town of Willow Springs that was intended for the Darlington Fire Commission. The check has since been recovered and deposited in its proper account.
Darlington police began investigating the case June 8. According to a report prepared by Chief Jason King, nobody in the fire department suspected Grossen was responsible for the missing money until after his term as treasurer ended and he turned over his records.
"It was just presumed he was a disorganized bookkeeper," King wrote, based on an interview he conducted with a member of the fire department.
Grossen appeared in court without an attorney. Johnston gave him instructions on securing defense counsel before his next appearance at 9 a.m. Monday, July 30.
- Katjusa Cisar