An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller resulted in the conviction of the Fairfield Glade Volunteer Fire department's former treasurer who stole more than $300,000.
According to investigators, James Botbyl wrote 64 fire department checks totaling $303,203 to one of his personal businesses, the deposited the money into the personal business accounts.
The checks were written over ten-months between November 2017 and September 2018. Investigators say Botbyl's business never provided any property or services to the fire department that would justify the payments.
Botbyl hid the theft from board members by limiting the amount of financial information they had access to. After board members discovered the payments Botbyl was suspected in September 2018.