The former chief of fire service for the U.S. Air Force has pleaded guilty to two federal crimes, one for mishandling a defense contract and one for stealing more than $100,000 raised for charity and using it for gambling, vacations and to pay off personal credit cards, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. According to a news release and court records: James E. Podolske Jr., 59, of Panama City, Fla., was in charge of organizing an awards banquet and golf outing that coincided with the International Association of Fire Chiefs' annual conferences from 2009 to 2012.