Message from IAFF Local #3558 President Andy Smith:
As part of a review of operations after my election as union president, we noticed some inconsistencies that raised questions about our finances. We believe now that our local union – NOT the Fire Department - has been the victim of significant theft. We do not believe that any taxpayer money is involved, but because our members’ dues are deducted from their paychecks, we are being extraordinarily cautious. We have taken immediate steps to report what we know to the Ohio Attorney General, who has jurisdiction over charitable fraud – because one of the accounts involved is a charity, the Ohio Auditor and the Fairfield County Sheriff for further investigation. Our goal is to be transparent and accountable. We are working with our Fire Department’s leaders, and we are committed to fully cooperating to discover the depth of this theft. While the investigation has just begun, we will share as much accurate information as we can as soon as we can. Our union leadership will also be continuing its own review of operations and will work to institute whatever safeguards are necessary to help ensure this can’t happen again.