The former president of the Vacherie Volunteer Fire Department used $56,500 in department money for personal purposes over a two-year period, a new investigative audit says.
Jacolby Octave deposited thousands of dollars in cash into his personal accounts, according to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Office. They say he also used department funds to pay personal loans and phone bills and took reimbursements twice for the same unauthorized trip.
The department is funded through local property tax revenue, fundraisers and donations. The auditors say Octave shifted $58,916 in certificates of deposits to department accounts between May 5, 2017, and Nov. 18, 2018, though the fire board only authorized one of the seven transfers, for $9,989.
Then, without board approval, Octave issued or negotiated 37 checks totaling $54,006 that were made payable either directly to himself or to "cash," auditors said.