Former fire district treasurer guilty of misappropriating funds

WARREN

Richard S. Wittkugle, former treasurer of the Eagle Joint Fire District, pleaded guilty today in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to misdemeanor petty theft for misappropriating fire district funds.

The district serves Hubbard and Hubbard Township. Sentencing will be at a later date.

Wittkugle, 54, of Hillview Drive in Hubbard, was indicted on felony theft in office, grand theft and tampering with records and could have gotten prison time, but with his plea agreement, prison time is not possible.

Wittkugle has agreed to make restitution for the $2,160 he paid himself improperly. Another 25 other volunteer firefighters also received improper amounts in their once-annual pay, but prosecutors believe those firefighters were unaware of the extra pay.

Wittkugle was charged in 2018 after a police investigation revealed he had been logging extra calls to provide more money for him and certain other volunteer firefighters. The firefighters are paid per call.

The crimes occurred from Nov. 1, 2015, to Oct. 31, 2017, court records say.