Archive for December, 2013

Palos Fire Protection District initiates arrests for theft (more)

A recent article about the arrests for theft from the Palos Heights Fire Protection District includes more details:

Prosecutors describe the “complicated scheme to embezzle money” used by a Palos Heights Fire Protection District employee.

During a bond hearing Monday morning, Assistant State’s Attorney Michael O’Malley of the financial crimes unit detailed the various schemes he says Michelle Sopko employed to pilfer a total of $352,938 from the Palos Heights Fire Protection District and into a bank account shared with her husband, Charles Sopko.

The schemes included collecting overtime payments which she did not earn, nor was entitled to earn. She also created a ghost payroll in which she directed payments to two nonexistent employees into her own account, using a former employee’s social security number to create the phantom employees, O’Malley said.

READ: Bail Set at $100K for Oak Forest Couple Accused of Embezzlement

She also pocketed duplicate payments to Blue Cross Blue Shield, redirecting the extra payment to herself. She also stole duplicate payments from ambulance services when they should have been reimbursed, O’Malley said.  To hide her actions she created fraudulent financial entries and manipulated board reports to hide the alleged embezzlement.

Michelle Sopko was employed by the district as a part-time employee  from October 2008 to February 2012 earning $14 per hour. She was tasked with issuing payroll and handling bills. The investigation into her activities started in February 2012 when new Fire Chief Tim Sarhage discovered that she had signed checks using a board member’s name, O’Malley said. She initially denied the action, but later admitted doing so and was fired, O’Malley added.

Because Sopko had tied her personal email account to the district’s payroll system, she continued to receive notifications when someone would log in. She would then call Sarhage and offer her services to help prepare W-2 forms or assist with payroll even after she had been terminated, O’Malley said. Her offers were declined.

O’Malley says there is “a paper trail of all the transactions.” He also alleged that Michelle’s husband, Oak Forest Dep. Fire Chief Charles Sopko, had to have been aware of her actions.

Because of the large sum stolen over a few short years and a rapid rise in the duo’s household expenditures, coupled with the fact that he had a card and used the account to which the embezzled funds were diverted, O’Malley alleges there was no way he could not have been aware.

In 2009 the couple brought in incomes of $88,978 and spent almost the exact same amount, according to O’Malley. In 2010, through salary and allegedly embezzled funds the couple netted $150,420 and spent $177,584. Then in 2011 the amount brought in through legitimate and illegitimate means was just over $170,000 while household expenditures were $187,065. Finally, in 2012 a total of $191,783 was brought in while the family spent $211,927, O’Malley alleged.

O’Malley also offered Charles Sopko’s decision in April 2010 to open a new account at a different bank in which to deposit his legitimate Oak Forest Fire Department salary as proof that he wanted to separate the two income flows. Charles Sopko’s attorney Jason Danielian countered that he was simply giving business to a friend’s recently opened mom and pop bank.

During an impassioned presentation to the judge Danielian said his client only became aware of the embezzlement earlier this month when his wife confessed to taking about $100,000. Danielian said his client was immediately willing to speak to investigators, open the couple’s home to a search and even to sit for an interview without a lawyer in the room.

“His reputation in the fire service is stellar,” Danielian said. “[He’s a] fire official that everyone in the fire service deserves to have.”

O’Malley countered that it is those same fire and community connections that has allowed the couple to stay ahead of the investigation. He alleges they learned of a sealed secret grand jury investigation earlier this year and were made aware of the warrant issued against them last week before it was entered in any system. “It’s clear that as a deputy fire chief he is using his connections and power to his benefit,” O’Malley said.

“She perpetrated a fraud against her employer, she perpetrated a fraud against her husband,” Danielian said.

Both Sopkos have extensive ties to the Oak Forest community. In addition to his duties with the Oak Forest Fire Department, Charles Sopko is the vice president of the Oak Forest Park District and is active in coaching youth sports. Michelle Sopko is a member of the Arbor Park District 145 Board of Education.

It is these community roots, in conjunction with the couple’s three children, that both lawyers highlighted in their remarks before the judge.

O’Malley countered that one community group not present in the courtroom was the Palos Heights Fire District who had to recently take out a loan to pay for a new fire engine.

The loan was for $350,000.

The hearing over bond funds is set for Jan. 6.

thanks Dan

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Large mulch fire in McCook, 12-28-13 (more)

This from Josh Boyajian:

Here are some of my pictures of the new 6-7-6 flowing water in McCook at their mulch fire.

large mulch pile burns in McCook

CFD Turret Wagon 6-7-6 works at a large mulch pile fire in McCook. Josh Boyajian photo

large mulch pile burns in McCook

CFD Turret Wagon 6-7-6 works at a large mulch pile fire in McCook. Josh Boyajian photoCFD Turret Wagon 6-7-6 works at a large mulch pile fire in McCook. Josh Boyajian photo

large mulch pile burns in McCook

CFD Turret Wagon 6-7-6 works at a large mulch pile fire in McCook. Josh Boyajian photo

large mulch pile burns in McCook

CFD Turret Wagon 6-7-6 works at a large mulch pile fire in McCook. Josh Boyajian photo

large mulch pile burns in McCook

McCook engine at the scene. Josh Boyajian photo

large mulch pile burns in McCook

Josh Boyajian photo

 

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2-Alarm commercial fire in Evanston, 12-29-13 (pt 2)

First batch of images from Steve Redick from the commercial fire in Evanston.

The scene when I arrived.

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

The scene early into the fire. Steve Redick photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

The scene early into the fire showing Skokie TL 16 and Evanston Truck 22. Steve Redick photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

Evanston Truck 22. Steve Redick photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

The scene early into the fire. Steve Redick photo

Click the ‘video’ to see a brief clip from the scene. Video

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2-Alarm commercial fire in Evanston, 12-29-13

An overnight fire on Davis in Evanston destroyed a commercial building. Here are early cell phone images from Steve Redick and Tim Olk.

From the Chicago Tribune:

 

A fire that erupted at a restaurant in north suburban Evanston and spread to two commercial buildings early this morning is still burning and sent one firefighter to a hospital with an ankle injury.

Evanston spokeswoman Martha Logan said the blaze started at 2:24 a.m. at the Pine Yard Restaurant near the corner of Davis Street and Oak Avenue and at 2:34 a.m. it was elevated to an extra alarm.

Their response was further escalated at 3:36 a.m. when flames spread, affecting a total of three commercial buildings in the 1000 block of Davis Street.

One firefighter who suffered an ankle injury while fighting the fire was taken to Evanston Hospital with injuries that are not life threatening, she said.

 

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

Tim Olk photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

Tim Olk photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

Tim Olk photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

Tim Olk photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

Steve Redick photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

Steve Redick photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

Steve Redick photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

Steve Redick photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

Tim Olk photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

Tim Olk photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

Tim Olk photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

Tim Olk photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

Tim Olk photo

large fire destroys stores in downtown Evanston 12-29-13

Tim Olk photo

 

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Large mulch fire in McCook, 12-28-13

The McCook Fire Department has been working a large mulch fire since 8AM at 5300 Lawndale. For much of the day they used a tanker shuttle to provide water. The fire is burning on the back side of a huge mulch pile where there is no access.

Late this afternoon, they released the tankers and requested a hose wagon (6-1-2) and turret wagon (6-7-6) from Chicago. The new 6-7-6 is on the scene at what is believed to be the first deployment of the new unit.

Several contributors are or have been at the scene. Several cell phone images have been submitted from Josh Boyajian and Tim Olk, and we look forward to more images later tonight. This will be an extended operation.

large mulch pile burns in McCook

Josh Boyajian photo

large mulch pile burns in McCook

CFD Turret Wagon 6-7-6 works at a large mulch pile fire in McCook. Tim Olk photo

large mulch pile burns in McCook

CFD Turret Wagon 6-7-6 works at a large mulch pile fire in McCook. Tim Olk photo

large mulch pile burns in McCook

CFD Turret Wagon 6-7-6 works at a large mulch pile fire in McCook. Tim Olk photo

large mulch pile burns in McCook

CFD Turret Wagon 6-7-6 works at a large mulch pile fire in McCook. Tim Olk photo

large mulch pile burns in McCook

CFD Turret Wagon 6-7-6 works at a large mulch pile fire in McCook. Tim Olk photo

large mulch pile burns in McCook

Josh Boyajian photo

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Hometown Fire Protection District to offer ALS services

This update from the Hometown Fire Protection District:

We are extremely pleased to announce that the Hometown Fire Protection District has been given approval by Advocate Christ Medical Center to begin providing Advanced Life Support Service to the residents of Hometown at 1300 hrs this date.

Larry Nevels, Trustee

John C. Hojek, Jr. Fire Chief

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River Grove working fire, 12-26-13

Images from Steve Redick from the scene of a working fire at 9017 Grand in River Grove on Thursday evening.

Leyden Township FPD quint working at night fire scene

Steve Redick photo

fire trucks at night fire scene

Steve Redick photo

River Grove Fire Department fire engine

Steve Redick photo

fire trucks at night fire scene

Steve Redick photo

Franklin Park Fire Department fire engine at night fire scene

Steve Redick photo

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Chicago working fire 8019 S. Paxton, 12-26-13

This from Josh Boyajian:

Companies went to a still alarm @ 8019 s Paxton, Engine 72 arrived onscene and reported smoke showing. Engine 72 had some water problems on the block. I was at the fire on MLK when this came in so it took me a while to get there. Here are some of my pictures.
The whole gallery is available to view on my site.
Thanks
Josh
Chicago firemen battle winter fire in a Chicago bungalow

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago firemen battle winter fire in a Chicago bungalow

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago firemen battle winter fire in a Chicago bungalow

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago firemen battle winter fire in a Chicago bungalow

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago firemen battle winter fire in a Chicago bungalow

Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago firemen battle winter fire in a Chicago bungalow

Josh Boyajia

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Antioch creates fire safety commission

The Daily Herald has an article on a new fire safety commission in Antioch to explore various avenues of cooperation and possibly consolidation of emergency services for both the village and unincorporated township of Antioch.

Residents in Antioch and Antioch Township have … four fire or rescue agencies — First Fire Protection District of Antioch, Antioch Rescue Squad, the Antioch Volunteer Fire Department, and Superior Ambulance Service — provide services to about 28,000 residents in a 37-square-mile area.

But the number of agencies and the niches they’ve carved out in the community have also created a confusing system of service now being targeted for a possible overhaul to make it more simple and efficient, local officials said.

Antioch Village Administrator Jim Keim and Antioch Fire Chief John Nixon are members of a newly created fire safety commission including village, township and fire district officials that has been tasked with cutting through the confusion and replacing it with the best — and most cost-effective — protection available.

Village and township officials acknowledge that board disputes, ownership confusion and the ever-changing needs of fire and rescue have contributed to create a duplication of services in some areas in and around Antioch.

The quilt of emergency services begins with the First Fire Protection District of Antioch, the village of Antioch, and the Antioch Volunteer Fire Department. The volunteer fire department provides fire protection in the village and the fire district answers fire calls in unincorporated areas of the township, Nixon said. Roughly 65 percent of the fire calls are in the village, while 35 percent are elsewhere, he said. The boundaries are less clear when it comes to equipment, manpower and rescue services, officials said.

Nixon said most area fire stations, equipment and fire trucks are co-owned by the fire district and the village. The volunteer fire department also provides manpower to the fire district to fight fires in unincorporated areas. And, rescue calls are split between the Antioch Rescue Squad in unincorporated areas and Superior Ambulance in the village, he said. … Nixon … stepped down as the fire district chief earlier this year but still serves as a commander at the fire district and is chief of the Antioch Volunteer Fire Department.

To address the problem, the commission is reviewing four ideas, and will present the findings to officials from the three boards in January. They are:

• Give control of all the agencies to the fire district, and expand its board to five trustees to include two village-appointed members with a rotating chairman.

• Expand the village fire department operation to cover Antioch and the township, taking over control of the fire district in most areas.

• Completely split the two entities and create a full-time village fire department and a full-time township fire district,

• Keep things as they are, and continue to pool resources and money.

The toughest aspect of any change will likely involve the future of the Antioch Rescue Squad, which has been serving area residents since 1938. In May, the rescue squad elected to end its service in the village after leadership could not come to terms on a contract with the village board. At issue were various conflicts that began when village board members tried to exert more control over the squad after a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by three female squad members that came to light in May 2012. The lawsuit led to the state issuing fines and requesting operational changes at the rescue squad amid findings that squad members had unauthorized access to prescription drugs and patients were mistreated during ambulance runs.

Things worsened when former rescue squad treasurer John Edgell was charged with — and later pleaded guilty to — theft for stealing $25,000 from the squad. Those problems led to township Supervisor Steve Smouse stepping down as the rescue squad president and to the retirement of former rescue squad Chief Wayne Sobczak. The rescue squad is now headed by former Deputy Chief Brian DeKind.

After the rescue squad left the village, its officials signed a one-year contract with the fire district to continue handling rescue calls in unincorporated areas. Superior Ambulance Service was hired at the village’s expense to cover ambulance calls for village residents.

Nixon admitted that, should the various entities consolidate, it could lead to the end of the Antioch Rescue Squad.

Antioch rescue squad Chief Brian DeKind said he favors being a part of the discussion and understands there are many scenarios that could play out before a resolution is reached. “I’m certainly in favor of doing what is in the best interests of the people of Antioch,” he said. 

The idea of consolidating Antioch-area fire and rescue services is not new. A study completed in 2008 by the Illinois Fire Chief’s Association showed the Antioch Volunteer Fire Department, Antioch Rescue Squad and the First Fire Protection District should consolidate, Nixon said, but it was never implemented.

thanks Dan

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West Chicago FPD looking for interim fire chief

This from the West Chicago Fire Protection District:

Hello

West Chicago is looking for a interim Fire Chief.  Attached is the document that Chief Hodge sent out today.  If you could please post it so we can get the word out.

Thank You
Andy Maxwell
West Chicago FPD seeking interim fire chief

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